NJSIAA Tournament First Round: Montgomery Boys Roll, Girls Fall in Tight Road Battle
Nicholas Mistretta
MHS ’79 Cougar Sports Correspondent
February 26, 2026 — Montgomery, N.J.
The postseason opened with contrasting results for Montgomery High School basketball Tuesday night, as the boys team delivered a commanding home victory over Manalapan while the girls squad dropped a competitive road contest at Marlboro in the first round of the NJSIAA Sectional Tournament.
Boys Basketball: Montgomery 76, Manalapan 40
Montgomery (22–4) overwhelmed Manalapan (13–15) with a dominant fourth quarter to secure a 76–40 sectional opening win on its home floor.
The Cougars established control early, outscoring Manalapan 25–14 in the first quarter behind efficient perimeter shooting and balanced scoring. After a relatively even second period, Montgomery carried a 34–25 halftime advantage before extending the margin in the third.
The decisive blow came in the fourth quarter, where Montgomery erupted for 29 points while holding Manalapan to just four, turning a competitive game into a rout.
Senior guard Ethan Lin paced Montgomery with a game-high 25 points, knocking down two three-pointers and converting nine free throws in a poised all-around performance. James Kamara and Mike Simborski each added 12 points, while Shriyans Mallavarapu chipped in nine.
Montgomery’s offensive balance proved overwhelming. Eleven players scored, and the team converted 21 free throws, consistently capitalizing on opportunities at the line.
Manalapan was led by Joe Farino’s 15 points and Dean Aviles’ 12, but the Braves were unable to sustain offensive rhythm after halftime, particularly in the final eight minutes.
With the victory, Montgomery advances to the sectional quarterfinals, continuing what has been a strong regular season campaign.
Girls Basketball: Marlboro 54, Montgomery 48
On the road, Montgomery’s girls team (14–13) battled throughout but fell 54–48 to Marlboro (15–11) in a tightly contested first-round matchup.
Marlboro opened with a 16–9 first-quarter edge, but Montgomery responded in the second, trimming the deficit to 27–22 at halftime. The Cougars continued to chip away in the third quarter, holding Marlboro to just seven points and entering the fourth within striking distance.
However, Marlboro’s 20-point fourth quarter proved decisive, as the Mustangs converted timely free throws down the stretch to secure the six-point win.
Aliza Schulberg delivered a standout performance for Montgomery, pouring in 20 points behind six three-pointers in an impressive perimeter display. Alia Johnson added 11 points, while Anya Saini contributed eight and Ryane Riddell six.
Marlboro was led by Elizabeth Stellato’s 16 points, with Mackenzie Klatsky adding 12. The Mustangs’ ability to get to the line — converting 10 free throws — helped create separation late.
Despite the loss, Montgomery showed resilience, particularly with its third-quarter defensive effort and outside shooting, finishing with 11 three-pointers as a team.
Postseason Picture
The boys move forward in sectional play carrying momentum and offensive depth with a 1:00 Game Saturday in the Cougar Den, while the girls conclude their season after a competitive first-round effort.
Photo Credit: Nicholas Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com