How a Team Becomes a Family

By Dester Selby-Salazar | Posted August 22, 2024

Grundy Hoops Academy is in its 20th year — educating kids from third grade to rising freshmen on the tactics, techniques, and sportsmanship required to become a success on the court. The summer academy has become a place for kids to experiment in a new sport, compete with others, and make new friends.

While the heat wave struck a heat index of 110 degrees, Montgomery athletes practiced their dribbling skills in the cool AC of the MHS gymnasium. From left: James Kamara and Michael Simborski vie for a ball, as Alec Butoni and Henry Scifanio watch.

Montgomery School District Athletic Director Kristopher Grundy, who is also the head MHS basketball coach created the academy. Assistant Basketball Coach Joe Bassford is also involved. Pointing to a plaque behind his desk emblazoned with the word “family,” Coach Grundy makes it known that basketball is more than just a sport at Montgomery High School — it’s a way of life. In fact, the word “Family” is chanted before every game.

The reason kids sign up for the summer basketball academy is different for everybody, said Grundy. “Some really love the game,” he said. “Some love to be able to hang out with their friends from 9 am to 2 pm every  day. I’m proud that, year-after-year, of the number [of kids] that show up. It shows this community appreciates it.”

One aspect that appeals to the athletes is the academy’s flexibility. Players practice specific drills, which allow them to target their weaker areas, making them better players in the process. Michael Simborski, a rising ninth grader and academy member, said, “If you’re a bigger guy, you have ball handling stations. If you have to work on shooting, there’s shooting [drills]; If you’re a smaller guy, they have post drills for you to work on your game to get better all-around.”

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The academy fosters the building of chemistry with other rising freshmen before the season begins in the winter. Building early on-court connections at MHS has proved a long-term success, as evidenced by this past winter when the boys varsity basketball team won the NJSIAA group IV sectionals. Assistant Coach Bassford said, “A lot of those kids [who won the sectional championship] were definitely at camp growing up as young kids.”

Coach Grundy said, “It was great this season where we saw all of our hard work culminate in a state championship game in front of a sold out gym, where a lot of these kids who are participating [in camp] were a part of the crowd. They are looking around, going ‘oh my God, I want to experience this when I’m in high school.’”

Even in the heat of July kids file in every morning, inspired by the heroics of the basketball players who, just like them, went to Grundy Hoops Academy. For Grundy and his management team, winning isn’t everything; at the end of the day, creating a successful community and seeing it pay off is what makes it worth it. “I want to create an environment where everyone’s working hard for each other, where coaches are working hard for kids, and where kids are working hard for coaches,” Grundy said.