Loudonville's Corri Vermilya, Jena Guilliams, Sophia Spangler bond over hoops, friendship

LOUDONVILLE − "Playing with my girls."

Those are the four words you will hear Loudonville senior trio Corri Vermilya, Jena Guilliams and Sophia Spangler frequently voice in interviews when expressing their level of delight in having the opportunity to enjoy one last high school basketball season with each other. Not just as teammates, but even more importantly, as close friends.

Loudonville girls' basketball has been more than successful over the last decade under coach Tyler Bates and that's expected to be no different for the 2023-24 season, however it's his three seniors' growth and development as people and players that has been the most rewarding for him to witness that's tied to the connection they share.

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"Our three seniors have shared their share of adversity through their high school careers and to see where they are at, in a good place mentally, physically and comfortable as leaders of our team is really exciting," said Bates, who came into his 11th season at Loudonville with a career 176-66 record. "I'm proud of the work they have put in because it influences the rest of the girls, and they definitely serve as role models for the community."

Bonding Together

Ask Vermilya what was the instant connection that sparked her, Spangler and Guilliams friendship and she'll tell you she doesn't exactly know. A little hint: it's in some ways basketball related.

"I don't even know you know," said Vermilya, who points to all three having a strong, supportive family as a key reason they relate to each other off the court. "A lot of seniors will bond over the fact that it's their last year together. We started bonding before that. I would say we all have the same love and care for the game."

"I think we really connected over basketball," said Spangler. "We have a deep passion for the sport. We want to do really good in it."

Vermilya and Guilliams have known each other since freshman year of high school − when Guilliams moved from Smithville − and have played on varsity together all four years, including on the 2021 team that went 25-1 and made a regional semifinal appearance. Spangler just came into the mix last year as a junior, coming from Big Walnut.

All three can recall when they first encountered one another.

"I met Corri my freshman year. We just instantly clicked," said Guilliams. "Last year, Sophia moved in. We became really good friends and super close."

"I moved here last year during my junior year, and they were so accepting," Spangler said. "Corri and Jena kind of took me under their wing and helped me. The team did the same exact thing. I was able to bond real quickly with them."

When they're not handling business on the court, watching basketball on TV or taking in games locally together is something they indulge in.

"It's fun with the girls on and off the court," Spangler said. "We'll watch games together. We'll go to high school games together. Watch film. Just hang out and hoping to pick up some things."

"We all watch sports. I don't really watch a lot of women's basketball just because it seems men's is on TV more," Vermilya said. "We'll watch the NBA sometimes. If we're free we will get together on a Saturday night before the season starts, hangout and just chill. We were watching the Ohio State-Michigan [football] game a few weeks ago."

Two of them even have the same taste in who their favorite male player is.

"My favorite player is definitely Luka [Doncic]," Vermilya said.

"I heard Corri mention Luka. I love him so much," Spangler said. "On the women's side, I like Sue Bird. I just think she's a really aggressive player. I like that about her a lot."

"I like Caitlin Clark a lot," Guilliams said. "I like her game."

Search hard enough and it's their alike personalities that interlock them.

"We all have a good sense of humor and our personalities mesh together," Guilliams said.

"We're just goof balls I think," Spangler said.

"Most shy is probably Jena," Vermilya said. "The talkative one I'd go with I or Sophia. Sophia is probably the most playful. She's really goofy."

If there is a smidge of difference with them, then their preferred selection of music would be it.

"We all like music a lot," Spangler said. "The girls like rap more. I'm more '80s rock and roll. I like AC/DC and Journey. Queen is my favorite. I love anything by Freddie Mercury. He's amazing."

Taking it up a notch

Entering their senior season, Vermilya, Spangler and Guilliams each addressed their main goal, with each giving the same response: advancing further in the tournament and making state.

"We are definitely trying to make state this season," Spangler said. That's a real high probability for us."

Last season as juniors, Loudonville finished with a 17-7 record, won their seventh consecutive Mid-Buckeye Conference title and was a district semifinalist. Individually, they all excelled and were the three leading scorers on the team.

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The 5'9" Vermilya (29.5 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 3.1 APG, 6.6 SPG) won District III Player of the Year, Mid-Buckeye Conference Player of the Year, was a Ohio Ms. Basketball candidate and is ranked as the No. 3 player in the 2024 high school class by Preps Girls Hoops. The 5'7" Spangler (9.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.3 APG, 2.2 SPG) emerged as one of the top point guards in the area, while the 5'4" Guilliams (6.4 PPG, 45 3-pointers made) flashed her outside shooting prowess.

However, it's the offseason where their hoops bond thickens.

"In the offseason, our whole team has lifting three times a week, then there's open gym twice a week. Bates usually puts on a showcase over the summer − this time it was at Ashland University − where a lot of the girls on the team went to that," Vermilya said, who along with Spangler and Guilliams plays on Bates' AAU team Buckeye State Blast Basketball. "We're together a lot during the summer, whether it's games or just lifting but we are together a lot."

Throw in too that Vermilya and Spangler played together over the summer in the well-known Ohio Prep Girls Hoops Camp at Fieldhouse USA in Columbus, all that summer work is showing off on the hardwood this season.

The Redbirds sit at 5-0 early in the season and are tearing through teams averaging 74.8 points per game with an average margin of victory of 50.4 points per contest. Their high press has been disruptive and are forcing turnovers at will, to go along with their fast-pace play that has resulted in some high-scoring outputs.

Vermilya is doing damage (30 points-12 rebounds-3 assists-8 steals in first game vs. Lexington; 32 points-8 rebounds vs. Ashland in third game) operating effectively inside and outside, bringing strong rebounding to the table and staying attentively defensively.

Then there's Spangler running the show, pushing the tempo in transition and slashing to the rim using a blend of euro steps and scoop layoffs.

"I've always been kind of short, so ever since I was younger, I've always kind of done hook shots and euros to help me score around the bigger players," Spangler said, who put up 12 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 5 steals against Lexington.

When Guilliams (12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 three-pointers made vs Lexington) gets hot from deep, whether on catch-and-shoot chances or off dribble handoffs, the Redbirds are a dangerous bunch. Vermilya's younger sister Mya, a freshman starter, has also been lighting it up.

"In years past we haven't really played fast. We've tried to but haven't really honed on it like this year," Vermilya said, who is Loudonville girls' basketball's all-time points and steals leader. "I think it fits our style of play because me and Sophia like driving and getting into transition and Jena likes to spot up. When we're attacking and somebody stops us, we know Jena is right there to knock down a three."

Attached by the hip

Teammates at all levels of sports don't always see eye to eye and vibe together. Jealousy sometimes creeps in. Egos clash. That's just the way it is sometimes in the competitive state of athletics. With these three, it's the total opposite. Their friendship is genuine and extends beyond the court.

When Vermilya (signed with NCAA Division II powerhouse Ashland University) and Spangler (signed with Division II Tiffin University) had their Signing Day last month, it was Guilliams, along with the rest of the team, that was there to celebrate her friends' moment.

"I just think we have each other's best interest," Guilliams said. "For their signing day, I'm really happy for them. They've worked really hard. It was an exciting moment for them and I'm glad I got to be there with them."

"We really wanted to share that with me and Corri," Spangler said. "We wanted Jena to come because she's also been a big part of us getting better as people and players."

"It's easy to be happy for people when they share the same approach and work ethic as you," Bates said. "I think those three have spent so much time together working and trying to win as many games as possible, it's easy to be happy for someone when they've been in the battles together."

Another thing they share: Big Head Cutout Faces.

Go to a Loudonville girls home game and you'll see Big Head Cutout photos of all three seniors, which is a rare and cool site to see at high school games.

"Us three all got our senior pictures done by the same girl. Then our moms all had a group chat and said we should get the seniors some fatheads and now we all have them," Guilliams said with a smile. "It's cool because the 7th and 8th grade girls that come to our games, they're the ones holding it up, which means a lot to us."

Before Spangler and Vermilya role off to college − where their friendship will be put to the test as they will be competing against each other in the same Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC), which they are both excited about − them along with Guilliams want to end their careers on a high note.

One last stand.

"That's what it feels like for sure," Vermilya said. "Obviously, everyone as a senior wants to go out with a bang."

"We wanna finish strong," Guilliams said.

"It's so exciting being able to play senior year with the girls I love and team I love," Spangler said. "At the same time, it's the last year I get to be with them. I just want to make it the best possible year it can be."

jsimpson@gannett.com

Twitter: @JamesSimpsonII

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: 'Playing with my girls': Loudonville senior trio enjoying last dance