Justin Price takes over Marysville’s girls basketball program as head coach this upcoming winter season
A new leader for Marysville’s girls basketball program has arrived.
The continued success of the Lady Monarchs will hopefully continue under the leadership of Justin Price this upcoming season, pending board approval.
Newly appointed head coach Justin Price (left) speaks with Makayla Shope (right) during an open gym session at Marysville High School during the summer of 2024.
(Photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
“We are super excited to bring Justin on,” MHS Athletic Director Joey Day told the newspaper. “He really impressed our committee and our families that had a chance to hear from him just with his vision and philosophy of coaching.”
Following Klarke Ransome’s departure from the program in late May, Day was tasked with finding a suitable replacement. Ransome collected an 87-17 overall record during his four years at Marysville and notched the program’s only district championship. In each season he coached, the Lady Monarchs were able to reach the district finals.
The athletic department announced Price’s appointment yesterday morning. He and MHS Assistant Coach Andy Schwochow were the final two candidates for the position. Day started the search with 10 total candidates.
Price is eager to get back in the gym with his new team.
“I am just super excited,” he said. “I am excited to get in the weight room and start working while getting to know the girls and them getting to know me.”
Despite not having a head coach in the offseason, the Lady Monarchs have been busy training and participating in shootouts. Price commented that while it is not an ideal situation for the girls, he complimented the assistant coaching staff of Hannah Schaefer, Chris Freeman and Schwochow for keeping the team active.
“We missed a lot of June, because of the timing of everything, so we are just anxious to get going,” he said. “The amount of work that (the coaching staff) put in just freely and willingly from Klarke leaving and me coming on board is just a huge blessing… huge kudos to them.”
“Hiring a basketball coach in June is always a difficult circumstance but we feel fortunate to have Justin and excited for him to get on board and start working with the girls,” Day commented.
The new Lady Monarchs head coach shared that he took a step back from coaching last season. He obtained his OHSAA Class 1 basketball officiating license.
Price spent two seasons as an assistant varsity girls head coach for North Union under Bre Jackson before coming to Marysville. Prior to that, he spent two years coaching middle school girls basketball. He also coached North Union’s junior varsity program under Rachel Weaver for two years.
Price brings over 20 years total of coaching experience to the Lady Monarchs from coaching youth basketball to assistant varsity.
“I started out coaching in Marion County at Elgin coaching boys,” Price said, adding he began guiding middle school, freshmen and junior varsity boys basketball for the Comets. “After my three daughters were born I decided that I would make the transition to the girls side and have been coaching on the girls side ever since.”
Price’s two oldest daughters, Abbey and Allison, competed for Marysville last season. Abbey has since graduated from Marysville while Allison is entering her final high school season. His youngest, Samantha, will be entering her eighth-grade year.
Once his background check comes back, Price will be approved to start training his team. He is already familiar with some of the team’s strengths and weaknesses after following them in their competitions this month.
“I’ve been going to their shootouts and watching them play and I’ve been talking with Schaefer who has been running things in the absence of the head coach,” he noted. “I’ve been talking with players and her about the strengths and weaknesses so I can an idea of the skill level.”
The Lady Monarchs have made a name for themselves when it comes to defensive pressure. Price seeks to continue that style which he believes will open the offense.
“That is the culture and the identity of the Marysville program,” he commented. “When I was with North Union as assistant varsity coach, I was sort of in charge of the defensive side of things.”
He added that the team’s tenacious defense will continue to be a thorn in opposing offenses. In return, the defense will generate the offensive side of the court.
Price acknowledged the departure of eight seniors from last year’s squad. The team he will be taking over will have some inexperience, but he is up for the challenge.
Despite the young nature of the team, Price’s goals coming in will include being on top of the Ohio Capital Conference while also be in contention for a district title every season.
“The goal is always a district championship and to win a conference championship also,” he said. “The OCC is very tough… we are young with inexperience so it is going to take a little bit of time but there is the potential there to remain competitive in the league.”
“He has a clear plan on how he wants to run his program and what that is going to look like,” Day said.
The newly appointed head coach praised the standard built by Ransome and hopes to continue to build better future community members who are proud to wear the school’s jersey.
“We really appreciate what Ransome did to elevate our program and bring it to new heights,” Day said. “It is our hope that we can just continue to push that needle forward and continue to grow that passion we have for girls basketball.”
