Rutgers Prep’s Perimeter Firepower Hands Montgomery Boys a High-Scoring Setback

Nicholas Mistretta

MHS ’79 Cougar Sports Correspondent

In a fast-paced, offensive showcase between two early-season contenders, the Montgomery High School boys’ varsity basketball team fell to Rutgers Prep, 89–73, on Thursday night. The Cougars, now 8–2, traded baskets with the Argonauts for much of the game but ultimately could not withstand a barrage of three-pointers from the visitors.

Rutgers Prep connected on 19 shots from beyond the arc and used that perimeter firepower to control the tempo, offsetting a strong offensive performance from Montgomery’s own backcourt.

Rutgers Prep Starts Fast, Montgomery Answers
Rutgers Prep came out firing, building a 23–13 lead after the first quarter behind hot shooting from the perimeter. Montgomery responded with its best stretch of the night in the second period, putting up 28 points to trim the deficit to just two at halftime.

Ethan Lin and Mike Simborski powered that surge, repeatedly attacking closeouts, getting into the lane, and knocking down threes to keep the Cougars within striking distance. At the break, Rutgers Prep led 43–41, and the game had the feel of a heavyweight shootout.

Third Quarter Turns the Tide
The turning point came in the third quarter, when Rutgers Prep once again found its rhythm from deep. The Argonauts outscored Montgomery 25–19 in the frame, pushing the lead back to eight heading into the fourth.

While the Cougars continued to score reliably, each Montgomery run was met by another big outside shot on the other end. The combination of interior finishing and kick-out threes from Rutgers Prep gradually wore down the hosts’ comeback efforts.

Rutgers Prep closed the game on a 21–13 fourth-quarter run to seal the 16-point victory.

Lin, Simborski Lead Cougar Effort
Despite the loss, Montgomery received standout performances from its offensive leaders:

• Ethan Lin poured in a game-high 29 points, doing damage at all three levels. Lin hit four two-point field goals, knocked down five three-pointers, and was efficient at the foul line, going 6-for-8.
• Mike Simborski matched that production for long stretches, finishing with 24 points. He scored eight times inside the arc, added two threes, and went 2-for-3 at the line, giving the Cougars a steady scoring presence in the half court.

Montgomery also got important contributions from its supporting cast:

• Shriyans Mallavarapu scored 10 points on five made two-point field goals, giving the Cougars another option in the lane and in the midrange.
• James Kamara added 5 points, including a three-pointer.
• Connor Benedict chipped in 3 points, and Xavier Harrigan added 2 points from the free-throw line.

In total, Montgomery hit eight three-pointers and scored 73 points—more than enough to win most nights—but it was not enough against an opponent that was equally comfortable firing from long range.

Rutgers Prep Wins It from the Arc
Rutgers Prep’s balanced yet explosive attack ultimately defined the game.

• William Brunson led the Argonauts with 27 points, scoring 10 times inside the arc and adding a pair of threes while converting at the free-throw line.
• Rocco Loomis and Julian Ceberio were nearly automatic from deep, each finishing with 21 points, powered by six three-pointers for Loomis and seven for Ceberio.
• Bryce Williams added 10 points, including two threes, and Nicolas Nsenkyire scored 7, giving Rutgers Prep five different players who consistently stretched the defense.

Rutgers Prep finished with 19 threes as a team, a volume that forced Montgomery to extend defensively and opened driving lanes and offensive rebound opportunities.

For Montgomery, the loss comes against a quality non-conference opponent and offers a clear blueprint for what needs tightening as the season progresses.

The Cougars showed they can score with anyone, with Lin and Simborski combining for 53 points and the offense consistently generating quality looks.

Photo Credit: Nicholas Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com