Intensity plays into state-ranked Loudonville girls’ tournament win

CRESTON − Intensity is a word that falls in line with exactly how Division IV No. 9 state-ranked Loudonville typically plays with every game.

Intensity in keeping the pace pushed on offense. Intensity in the way they defend, whether they’re in their 1-2-2 full-court press, man-to-man press or trapping hard in their 2-3 zone. Intensity in their focus, to the point where they have been able to put their opponents away early and often in the majority of their wins this season.

More:Inside the numbers of Loudonville girls’ commanding hoops regular season

That intensity didn’t waver on Wednesday night at Norwayne High School, as the Redbirds (23-2) put away Lowellville (11-14) 65-17 in their Division IV district semifinal win and kept on trucking along to the school’s fourth district final appearance in eight years on Saturday.

“We knew they were playing good ball and we wanted to come out and set the tone,” said Loudonville coach Tyler Bates. “We really wanted to make it a point of emphasis to push the tempo as much as possible throughout the game. I felt like in the first half we did that.”

“I feel like we came out strong, attacking and got a lot of steals in the beginning,” said Loudonville point guard Sophia Spangler. “It helped us get out and play fast. I think we kind of tethered off in the third quarter and picked it back up in the fourth.”

You can even say that Loudonville’s intensity might have even worked against them in a small way, as their constant defensive traps resulted in some called fouls on their end. Spangler could relate, as she was hit with her second foul early in the second quarter.

“I definitely reached on that one and got a little bit too excited,” Spangler said. “I had to reel it in but still stay aggressive on both defense and offense.

On their traps, Bates said his team got a “little handsy.”

“Those are the things we work on in practice,” he said. “Forehand straight-up when we have a trap. Staying in a stance. A couple of times we didn’t do that but overall I liked our intensity.”

That defensive intensity crossed over to the offensive side where hot long-range shooting off swift perimeter ball movement from Mya Vermilya (17 points, four 3-pointers made) and the customary game-high 25 points and 17 rebounds by big sis Corri Vermilya led the way but it was Spangler’s opportunity to work in one-on-one situations with the court spread that got her going the most.

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March 10, 2024

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Intensity plays into state-ranked Loudonville girls’ tournament win

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