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Seeing red: Monessen’s Rice chooses Grove City

4 min read
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He will look a little different wearing red and white rather than black and white.

Make no mistake, however, Justice Rice plans on making opponents see red over the next four years. He expects to strive for the same kind of success as a member of the Grove City College basketball team as he enjoyed at Monessen High School – athletically and academically.

Rice, a senior, decided Tuesday to make it official and declare he will enroll at Grove City and be a member of the Wolverines’ basketball team.

In addition to Grove City, Rice considered offers from NCAA Division II Slippery Rock and Seton Hill and from Division III Thiel and Geneva.

“I felt comfortable with the final three schools (Grove City, Seton Hill and Slippery Rock),” Rice said. “Grove City seemed to be the best fit financially, athletically and academically.

“I’m hoping I find some court time right away. I want to make a contribution and hope to make a positive change.”

Rice was a first-team Class A all-state selection as a senior, averaging 20.3 points, seven assists and six steals per game to go with a 76 percent free-throw percentage. He was also a member of the Observer-Reporter All-District first team.

Rice, a point guard, directed Monessen to the WPIAL Class A championship with a victory over Imani Christian at the Petersen Events Center. The Greyhounds advanced to the PIAA semifinals where they lost a tough decision to eventual state champion Kennedy Catholic.

Rice was part of two WPIAL championship teams at Monessen, also helping the Greyhounds to the WPIAL Class A title in 2015.

In Rice’s four seasons, Monessen was 86-27 (.761 winning percentage). The Greyhounds won the two WPIAL championships, were WPIAL runners-up in 2014 and WPIAL semifinalists in 2016.

He finished his Monessen career as the third-leading male scorer in school history, behind A.J. Jackson’s 1,757 points and teammate Jaden Altomore’s 1,593 points.

In addition to his athletic skills, Rice is an outstanding student, who will major in mechanical engineering with a concentration in bio-chemical engineering.

He recently was awarded a scholarship by the Tri-County Athletic Directors’ Association and was honored at the annual Coach of the Year banquet last month.

“I am honored to be a Greyhound,” Rice said. “I am proud to wear the black and white of Monessen. I am blessed to be a Greyhound.

“These last four years have been the best four years of my life. I am thankful for the opportunities given to me. They say Monessen doesn’t offer young people opportunities. I think Monessen presents great opportunities, not just athletically but academically.”

Greyhounds Coach Joe Salvino said Rice will fit nicely into Grove City’s roster and program.

“With his court awareness and knowledge of the game, he will help that team right away,” Salvino said. “In a way, I am surprised that he didn’t get more looks from Division II programs. I definitely think he could play at that level.

“With Division II these days, you’re looking at great athletes, junior college transfers and players filtering down from Division I. It’s not like it used to be.”

Salvino said Rice’s contribution to Monessen’s program over the course of four years is indelible.

“Between he and Jaden, they helped us to be a top-notch team. They helped us the first year they were here. They combined to help us beat Vincentian in the playoffs one year when they were both young players.”

He added that Grove City will likely get Rice in their weight room to add weight and muscle.

“To play the game at the collegiate level like he likes to play, he’s going to have to get physically stronger,” Salvino said. “To penetrate and play defense, he will need to be bigger. He has the frame to add weight the right way.”

Grove City finished in sixth place in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference in 2016-17 and was eliminated from the PAC tournament by Thiel in an opening-round game. The Wolverines finished with a 8-10 conference record and were 12-14 overall.

The Wolverines are coached by Steve Lamie, who finished his 19th season at the school.

Rice is the son of Brenda and Craig Rice of Monessen.

“I’m thankful for my parents and the support they always give me,” Rice said. “I could not ask for better parents.

“I know (Grove City) has some really good big men and some good guards. They just need a different type of guard, one that’s a little more up-tempo. The biggest thing for me is to put on some weight and work hard this summer and adjust to the faster pace of the game that the college level presents.”

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