Montgomery Cougars Capture State Sectional with Grit, Balance and Timely Play

Nicholas Mistretta

MHS ’79 Cougar Sports Correspondent

SKILLMAN, NJ — Montgomery High School’s boys golf team delivered a composed, team-first performance to capture the State Sectional Championship, finishing with a winning score of 309 at Charleston Springs North Course and securing the program’s 10th overall — and its first in five years.

In a field where Cherry Hill East and Lenape were viewed as the favorites, Montgomery rose to the top with the kind of balanced effort championship golf demands. The Cougars placed four scorers in the 70s and low 80s, with every player contributing at a critical moment.

Juniors Tyler Sugarman and Arav Rathore led the way with matching rounds of 76, tying for fourth overall and giving Montgomery an early foundation it never relinquished. Senior Aidan Sim followed with a 78, good for 10th place individually, while junior Connor Benedict carded a 79 and senior Jacob Chang finished with an 83 to round out the team scoring.

Sugarman’s round was especially notable considering he overcame a triple bogey and still posted a score that proved vital to Montgomery’s winning total.

Team Scoring Breakdown
Tyler Sugarman (Junior) — 76, T-4th
Arav Rathore (Junior) — 76, T-4th
Aidan Sim (Senior) — 78, 10th
Connor Benedict (Junior) — 79, 12th
Jacob Chang (Senior) — 83, 23rd

For Montgomery, the title reflected not only talent, but resilience. The Cougars navigated a demanding regular-season schedule that featured numerous road matches and consistent high-level competition, experiences that head coach Coach Bassford said helped prepare the team for a championship moment.

“We have a motto on the team, ‘All in, all one,’” Bassford said, emphasizing the team-centered identity that carried the Cougars through the season. “We had a tough schedule that really tested us this year. So many matches on the road. It really tested us. All five of our guys showed up today, all at the right time. So happy for them.”

That collective mindset was evident throughout the round, as Montgomery relied on its depth rather than one overpowering individual performance. The Cougars stayed steady under pressure and put together the complete team score needed to bring home the title.

Now, Montgomery quickly turns its attention to its next challenge. On Monday, the Cougars will compete in the Tournament of Champions at Raritan Valley Country Club, where they will face Southern Regional, Westfield, and Hunterdon Central with the Group 4 title on the line.

With a state sectional championship now secured and momentum on their side, the Cougars will head into Monday’s event with both confidence and the experience of a team that has already proven it can deliver when the stakes are highest.

Photo Credit: Nick Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomry.com