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Westfield High School graduate Jemon Price ended his senior year with one of Virginia’s top basketball honors and a ticket to the Division I level.

Price was named the Virginia High School League’s Class 6 Boys Player of the Year this spring. This fall, he will continue his career at Wofford College.

The recognition carries special weight for Price because of the difficulties he encountered during his basketball journey. He said he is proud that he continued working and refused to become discouraged through challenging situations.

Price did not begin playing basketball with statewide awards or college scholarships in mind. As he grew older and entered high school, however, those ambitions came into focus. He believed that giving his best effort through his senior year would put the goals within reach.

His guiding philosophy is simple: “It’s you versus you.” Price approaches every day as a competition with himself, using that outlook to drive his improvement on and off the court.

He also credits his faith, family and friends with helping him remain grounded as his success grew. Working hard, maintaining close relationships and trying to be a good person have remained central to his approach.

Price enrolled at Westfield as a sophomore after joining Fairfax County Public Schools. Although he initially felt nervous about entering a new environment, he said Westfield’s welcoming community helped him develop stronger character and become a better person.

Coach Kevin Harris, whom Price has known since second grade, became one of his most important mentors. Price described Harris as being like family and said the coach taught him lessons both on and off the basketball court.

Teachers also played a major role in his development. Price said they helped him acquire life skills, improve as a student and succeed throughout his high school career.

Basketball and academics reinforced each other along the way. Price adopted the lesson that the way a person handles one responsibility reflects how that person will handle everything else. His dedication to basketball carried into the classroom, while staying academically eligible helped him remain focused on his studies.

Wofford offered Price the chance to fulfill his longtime goal of playing Division I basketball, but his college decision involved more than competition. He said the coaching staff showed genuine interest in him both as an athlete and as a person.

Now Price is preparing to test himself against top college talent and chase new goals alongside his future teammates. His advice to younger students echoes the mindset behind his own rise: keep improving, remain grounded in your values and compete against the person you were yesterday.