top of page

Recent Posts

1/204

Thank you to our advertisers:

Let's Go Montgomery! How to Watch the NJ Group IV State Championship Boys Basketball Game Today

Mar 14
3 min read

By Barbara A. Preston for The Montgomery News | March 14, 2026


Montgomery High School Boys basketball team (26-4) will play Plainfield (25-5) in a rematch of the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 4 Tournament, Final Round at Rutgers’ Jersey Mike’s Arena in Piscataway on Saturday, March 14, at 2 pm.


Montgomery HIgh School basketball fans are expected to be out in full force today to cheer on their team in the Group IV State Championship, hosted by Rutgers University in Piscataway.
Photo by Barbara A. Preston

Last year, Montgomery had earned a spot in the Group IV Central Jersey State Championship title game only to lose to a bold Plainfield Cardinals team. The Cardinals led for most of that game, ultimately winning with a final score of 65-48. This year just may be the Montgomery Cougars' year!


Last Chance to Watch Ethan Lin Play for Montgomery

Ethan Lin (# 11) is the MHS all-time leading scorer in Boys' basketball history. He surpassed the long-standing mark of 1,347 points in January. He is one of the best basketball players in New Jersey. Lin was recruited by, and has committed to play for the University of Pennsylvania this fall. The above pix is from Central Jersey Group 4 championship on March 6, in which MHS defeated Hillsborough High School in overtime 55 to 47, earning their third straight sectional title
Photo by Barbara A. Preston

Scholar athlete Ethan Lin is “just an unbelievable talent,” Coach Kris Grundy told The Montgomery News.


More than a One-Man Team

The MHS basketball team has talent, in addition to Lin. In the Group 4 semifinals against Cherry Hill East on March 10, sophomores Mike Simborski #15  and Shriyans Mallavarapu # 31 were the leading scorers, contributing 51 points in a game with a final score of 67 to 37.


Mike Simborsk # 15 makes a crowd-rallying slam dunk at the Central Jersey Group 4 championship on March 6, in which MHS defeated Hillsborough High School in overtime 55 to 47, earning their third straight sectional title.
Photo by Barbara A. Preston

Top MHS Scorers Cherry Hill East Game

  • Sophomore Mike Simborski #15 was the leading scorers with 28 points.

  • Shriyans Mallavarapu # 31, sophomore, contributed 23 points.

  • Senior Ethan Lin # 11 connected for 9 points,

  • Junior Connor Benedict # 10 added 7 points.


How to Watch the Game

Of course the best way to view the game is in person, but that is not possible for all Montgomery High School basketball fans. Below are some options.


NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 4 Tournament

Final Round, Game Information

Montgomery Cougars (26-4)  vs. Plainfield Cardinals (25-5)

Saturday, March 14, 2 pm


Watch the Game online:


Advertisement

Kasia Market, Belle Mead, NJ. Advertisement in The Montgomery News.

Players to Watch

  • Ethan Lin #11, senior, 6-5, one of the top basketball players in New Jersey. He has committed to play for U Penn next year, and he has scored 1,694 points so far during his career at MHS. Lin is the all-time leading scorer in MHS Boys' basketball history. He surpassed the long-standing mark of 1,347 points in January.

  • Mike Simborski # 15, sophomore, 6-4, scored 26 points against Hillsborough on Jan. 13 (@Hillsborough MHS 53-HHs 37). Was a starter in the NJSIAA state tournament as a freshman in 2025.

  • Mohamed Ndiaye #2, senior, 6-3, power forward and an NJBCA Scholar Athlete.

  • Connor Benedict #10, junior, 5-10, scored 21 in one game in December, and has a season total of 201 points. His grandfather, Jim Benedict, is a former Rutgers receiver who spent two decades coaching high school sports in New Jersey, and served as an assistant coach for the Scarlet Knights Head Football Coach Terry Shea (1996 to 2000).

  • Xavier Harrigan #12, junior, 5-8, has scored 50 points this season.

  • Sebastian Kyler #20, sophomore, 5-10, has scored 39 points this season.

  • James Kamara #21, sophomore, 6-4, consistently scores in the double digits. His season total is 216 points thus far.

  • Raf Aguilar #24, sophomore, 5-7, has scored 11 points this season.

  • Shriyans Mallavarapu #31, sophomore, 6-9, center. He also scored 189 points this season.



bottom of page