Klarke Ransome, Marysville High School’s new girls head basketball coach, gives instructions while wearing a mask. The Lady Monarch program is divided into limited numbers for workouts due to COVID-19. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
There is always a “breaking-in” period of sorts whenever a high school team comes under the direction of a new head coach.
There are names for the coach to learn and expectations need to be set and followed.
It’s a little more difficult when that coach and entire team aren’t permitted to get together at the same time.
Klarke Ransome, who is Marysville High School’s new girls basketball boss, has been basically meeting his team in stages during early summer workouts.
Team sessions are limited to 10 players in each time slot throughout the morning due to COVID-19 safety precautions.
The new coach has the program divided into three daily sessions.
“We’re going from 8-8:40 a.m., 8:40-9:20 a.m. and 9:20-10 a.m.,” he said. “Each group has a 40-minute session in order to get in and out of the gym.”
Those workouts began a week ago in Phase I of athletic re-openings and will continue through at least this week.
“Right now, we’re doing drills on footwork and ball-handling,” said Ransome through his coronavirus-related mask.
Each player must use a separate ball during workouts and sanitization practices are enforced.
“We’re having to be creative with some of our drills,” said Ransome. “We’re not even able to work on passing drills since players aren’t allowed to handle the same basketball.”
Lady Monarch players are able to work on their shooting skills during the initial phase of sessions.
Despite the opening limits of workouts, Ransome feels the team is accomplishing some of its goals.
“It’s obviously good we’re able to get back into the gym,” said the former Marysville High School boys JV hoop coach. “The girls have been working on basketball at home, but it’s good for have them back in the gym with coaches and their friends.
“We’re also using this phase to build a foundation and relationships within the program,” said Ransome.
Should Phase I of the re-opening go well, the second stage will begin next week.
“We should be able to share some equipment in Phase II and work on passing drills,” said Ransome. “We can work on setting screens and conduct more team-type of drills.”
If the second phase has no complications through the end of the month, a third phase will begin in July.
Will hoop squads go all out with workouts at that time?
“I really haven’t looked that far ahead,” said Ransome. “Right now, we’re hoping to get to Phase II.”
The new Lady Monarch coach, who is also the head baseball boss at North Union High School, is also putting together a new staff.
The only holdover from the 2019-2020 season is freshman coach Tom Herchek.
Pending approval by the district’s board of education, new assistant coaches will include Ransome’s wife, Sydney, former Lady Monarch head coach Dave Fleming and former North Union and Dublin Jerome head coach Natalie Herring.
“I believe Natalie was retiring from coaching when she left Dublin Jerome after last season,” said Ransome. “Sydney played for Natalie at North Union and that connection helped her coax Natalie to join us.
“I talked Dave into coming back and helping,” he said.
Marysville High School senior Kass Lee works on her shooting during a recent drill. High school athletes have been permitted to re-enter buildings in limited numbers for sports workouts. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)