Red Devils Boys Basketball Team Features 7 Seniors

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Written by Paige Clevenger 

Red Devils Boys Basketball Team Features 7 Seniors

Head Varsity Basketball Coach Jason Vermillion and his team are eager to start the 2025-2026 season out strong. Building on last season’s 24-5 record and Regional Final Championship, the team is preparing for another dominant run. The Red Devils team roster includes seven seniors, including 4 returning lettermen from the State-Finals team: Calvin Willow, Ayden Cavinee, Drew Metzger, and Trenton Heacock. 

“Last year’s successful run was a result of their great team chemistry,” Coach Vermillion stated. “They were so unselfish, willing to share the basketball, and extremely coachable; all while embracing their challenges and overcoming adversity unitedly.” 

The team sits at 1-1 after their weekend opener against Fort Jennings (61-38) and Kalida (46-51). The first BVC matchup will be at home versus Vanlue on December 12. 

Coach Vermillion said this year’s team will need to prioritize offensive adaptability and adjustments, as well as implement a new defensive system.

Instilling respect, gratitude, and resilience in his players, Vermillion has accumulated over 400 wins in his 27 years coaching at Arlington, but it is his first season in over a decade in which he will not have a son playing in the program. 

“We shared some great seasons and championships together, making those special and memorable.” Regardless, Coach Vermillion still has the same excitement to coach this team as he did in previous years. Family isn’t far, though. His son, Jaret, continues to play a role in the program as the reserve basketball coach.

One of the Arlington basketball program’s standards includes carrying on the tradition of the Red Devils. 

“We hope that this upcoming team has paid attention to our teams in the past years as they’ve grown up, and has an understanding of the way we maintain the tradition of how we play.” 

This year’s coaching staff is optimistic that the team will continue traditional Red Devil values, and work to become humble and unselfish–both on and off the court–all while forming relationships that will add to team and individual success.