By Barbara A. Preston | Posted March 10 at 7 pm
The Montgomery High School Boys basketball team defeated the Cherry Hill East Cougars at a neutral court in Deptford tonight in the state Group 4 semifinals with a final score of 67 to 37. Montgomery (26-4) will now 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.
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!
Head Coach Kris Grundy told The Montgomery News, "We are looking forward to playing in our second straight state championship game on Saturday."
Montgomery High School Principal Heather Pino-Beattie, who is a basketball fan, told The Montgomery News that, winning a championship always reflects talent, but what makes this Montgomery team special is the character behind the talent.
"Coach Grundy and his staff have built a program grounded in accountability, work ethic, and an unwavering commitment to one another. That culture was on full display in a hard-fought overtime win against an outstanding Hillsborough team," she said.
"What our community should be most proud of, though, is the way this team defines family. They compete relentlessly for each other on the court, but they also show up for each other off of it. During a time when Coach Grundy experienced the profound loss of his father, [Michael C. Grundy, 77], these young men rallied around their coach the same way he has always rallied around them. That speaks volumes about the kind of program he has built and the kind of young people these players are becoming."
Championships are measured in banners, but the true legacy of this team is the way they represent Montgomery... with heart, resilience, and a deep understanding that family comes first," — Principal Heather Pino-Beattie
Sophomore Mike Simborski #15 was the leading scorers with 28 points.
Shriyans Mallavarapu # 31, also a sophomore, contributed 23 points
Senior Ethan Lin # 11 connected for 9 points,
Junior Connor Benedict # 10 added 7 points.
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Senior Ethan Lin #11 scored 22 points against Hillsborough on Friday.
Saturday, March 14, 2 pm
Rutgers’ Jersey Mike’s Arena in Piscataway on Saturday, March 14, at 2 pm.
Tickets ($6) will be sold online only at:
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 in each game. 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.
