Beyond the star power, Loudonville's run to state has also been fueled by 'The Others'

DAYTON − As an analyst on TNT's Inside the NBA show, NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal will often refer to them as "The Others."

No, no. Not The Others alluding to the 2001 gothic horror film that Academy Award winning actress Nicole Kidman starred in. "The Others" as in the key supporting players that make up a championship team, sometimes overlooked, but they serve pivotal roles within the needs of the group and in many ways, are just as paramount to the squad's success as the star performers.

Those main headliners would be the Loudonville senior trio of Corri Vermilya, Sophia Spangler and Jena Guilliams, and rightfully so.

Dayton, here they come! Loudonville girls fulfill season goal, head to state semifinals

Yet, it's "The Others" like starters Alesha Felix and Mya Vermilya, along with sixth man Addison Wolford, that have contributed mightily and a major reason why the Redbirds (26-2) will be playing in the school's second state semifinal game (first since 1992) on Thursday morning at the University of Dayton against Waterford.

All season the Redbirds have thrived on both sides of the court, outpacing and outshooting teams on offense (averaging 60.2 points per contest through five tournament games) and creating plenty of resistance on defense (allowing just 25.2 points per game, including three games holding opponents under 20 points). When you have a variety of difference offensive options like Loudonville does, it's necessary to balance that out with a player that can handle the workmanlike duties.

Rebounding. Setting quality screens. Defending the post. Playing with effort. Grinding and scrapping. Scoring efficiently in the limited touches they get. Doing the little things that don't show up in the box score but teammates and coaches notice all the same.

Forward Alesha Felix fits that billing. The "glue person" if you will.

"My big job is to get the offensive and defensive rebounds and help create for my team," said Felix, following the Redbirds' Division IV regional title win on Saturday. "And when I can, I can put it back up."

"Alesha is a tough kid. She works very hard," said Loudonville head coach Tyler Bates. "She was in the gym all fall. She didn't play a fall sport. She was lifting, conditioning and working on her post moves. She's a kid next year when we lose these seniors might average a double-double. She is the ultimate teammate. She gives us toughness everyday, and the girls and coaches know they can trust her."

More: Loudonville, Vermilya soar into first regional final in more than 30 years

Teammate Corri Vermilya was one of many teammates on Saturday night after Loudonville's win over Springfield, who couldn't have enough glowing things to say about Felix, especially her defensive effort in containing the Tigers top player in post player Jameka Brungard.

"I told everyone this week, 'We're gonna win this game because Alesha is gonna shutdown No. 30 [Brungard]," said Vermilya. "That's what she did. I've had faith in her since the beginning."

Felix says she has gotten more comfortable in her role throughout the season, with one of those areas including scoring in the paint area. Bates sees it, too.

"She's gotten better finishing around the rim," Bates said.

"I've definitely gotten a lot smarter when it comes to being on the inside and a little more experienced underneath this year, as the season has progressed," the junior said.

Though, a great deal of Felix's role, which she acknowledges, is not touching the ball on many offensive possessions. In that situation, it's easy for a player to lose focus.

Not Felix. She understands what's expected of her.

"I just know that my teammates have got it and as long as I'm doing my part to help the team, then I can stay focus."

Then there's the first player off the bench in sophomore guard Addison Wolford, who has settled in nicely in her role by coming in, providing energy, being another ball handler and bringing it on the defensive end.

"Definitely to play defense," said Wolford, on what Bates expects from her. "We have a pretty balanced team on offense. I just step in and play good defense and stop their best players."

On defense, you'll sometimes find Wolford at the top of Loudonville's 1-2-2 full-court press and on the perimeter constantly trapping opposing guards, where she'll pick up her fair share of steals. Don't be surprised to see her add some points off drives to the basket as well.

"I am a lot more comfortable and getting used to guarding more and picking up on other players moves," Wolford said.

At this point, it's probably safe to say that Mya Vermilya has grown out of being a role player.

Maybe she was never one to begin with. She led the Redbirds in 3-pointers made in the regular season and often times in games, has been the team's second-leading scorer, usually behind sister Corri. Mya credits her sister as being a calming influence in her first year on varsity and says the offseason helped prepare her to play well in big atmospheres such as the regional tournament in Massillon.

"I think it helped in the summer playing in tournaments, in AAU, in leagues with older people. That's helped prepare me for that," said Mya. "Corri has always talked with me at home about don't be nervous. Coach Bates, Coach Rex and all the coaches have really pushed me."

In her freshman year, she has brought the goods, playing point guard occasionally, taking over games herself and when she gets hot from distance, look out.

"He (Bates) wants us to keep shooting, and if our shots are not falling, get back on defense, talk," Mya said.

Throw in junior Sydney Strouse off the bench, and that completes the seven-player rotation for the Redbirds.

If "The Others" can keep doing their thing for two more games, a state title for the Redbirds will be even more attainable.

jsimpson@gannett.com

Twitter:@JamesSimpsonII

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Loudonville basketball's OHSAA state run fueled by key role players