Family fandom for Bellevue basketball

BELLEVUE — Back in the summertime, Kory Santoro made a pitch to Melissa Laughlin. "We are huge youth sports supporters and go to tons of Bellevue football games and boys basketball games and have for years," said Melissa, referring to her husband, Erik, and their two young children: Abbey and Duke. "But Kory noticed we didn't go to girls basketball games and asked us to come," said Melissa, recalling her conversation with Santoro, the team's head coach. "He told us they put on a show and to please watch them play." Fast-forward to present day, and Santoro's team has not only lived up to those lofty expectations but exceeded every one of them — and, like many others, the Laughlins couldn't be happier. "It's the greatest show," said Melissa, noting she's attended every game, home and road, this season for the Lady Red. "It's amazing how a whole generation of girls are looking up to these players. But they are more than just great players: They have become idols and fantastic role models to our children and so many others." State aspirations still alive Similar to hundreds of other families in and around Bellevue, the Laughlins plan to watch the Lady Red compete in one final game this season — a state championship. Following Saturday's state semifinal victory, 46-40 over Laurel at Elyria Catholic High School, Bellevue will play in the school's first-ever state title game for girls basketball. Now with a record of 27-1, Bellevue goes up against Kettering Alter at 4:15 p.m. on Friday at the University of Dayton Arena with the sport's ultimate prize on the line. "We wouldn't miss this game for anything," said Melissa, thankful how the district, on Monday, granted every student and staff member the day off to make this nearly three-hour, one-way trek. Among those eagerly awaiting Friday's contest include Abbey and Duke, who provided each player with goodie bags along with a "goat" — short for greatest of all time" medal. "I really like to watch them play and them win," Abbey said. "I'm going to root for them loud in the championship." Added Duke: "I like it when they make their shots." Basketball bonds families Nobody on the Laughlins has a child or relative on the 2024-25 team. The same holds true for the Journay family: • Spouses Jim and Jai and their four young children — Gunner, Olivia, Emma and Sophia • Spouses Jon and Alaynee Journay and their three young children — Kinsley, Chase and Connor; Jon and Jim are brothers. "We just all enjoy going as a big family," said Jim, noting his entire family attends a majority of games, sitting and cheering together. Jim, however, does have some special connections with a few players. For instance, Audrey Turner and Reese Meacham, along with their families, attend the same congregation, First Church of Bellevue, as his family. And Ava Hirt babysat his children. Jim maintains a friendship with some of Hirt's family members as well. And Jim and Ava's dad, Josh, coach a youth travel baseball team, with The Vue, together. Now his children are expanding upon and even developing their own bonds as well. Just ask Emma, who's not shy about naming her favorite player. "Ava is my good friend, and she is a good player. I root for them all to make shots and go 'yay' when they do," Emma said. Both Erik and Jim underscored the importance of not only a Bellevue team succeeding but one fully comprised of girls doing just that. It shows their daughters firsthand how girls can compete and succeed in athletics. "This Lady Red team is proving that, with hard work, great things can be achieved," Jim said. Erik then chimed in: "Everyone should come out to more women's games. They are just as fun as any boys game." Jim takes great delight in seeing his children gravitate toward the basketball team, which reminds him of how he acted as a young child when attending Bellevue games himself as a youth. "Growing up as a kid, high school sports were impactful on me wanting to play sports, and now my kids are getting into sports, and this run the basketball team is on is helping them see all the great things that come with winning," Jim said. "The girls are great role models, and they are really fun to watch." Stupendous fan support Throughout this entire tournament, not only has Bellevue's team topped the opposition in points but has done so, by a wide margin, in fan count as well. Community members have packed gymnasium after gymnasium to where it's virtually a standing-room-only affair on Bellevue's side. Whenever the Lady Red's supporters thunderously cheer — after virtually every basket, rebound, possession gained and essentially every other positive play — it provides a great boost of energy and confidence to players, Santoro said. "We have amazing fans," Santoro said. "In many other places, girls basketball gets placed on the back burner, but the fans who have come to watch this team play know just how entertaining and exciting this team really is." Santoro extended his deepest appreciation to everyone, past and present, who attends games. But he did give a special shoutout to families like the Laughlins and Journays who are "Day 1" fans — coming to games in November when only a handful did and were under no obligation to do so, considering neither family has a direct relative on the team. "I'm just so thankful for our great support systems here in Bellevue," Santoro said. "I'm hoping we can get the most people we've ever had for a girls basketball game on Saturday."