By Barbara A. Preston | Posted March 17, 2025
Plainfield beat the Montgomery High School boys' basketball team for the Group IV State Championship title at Rutger's Jersey Mike Arena in Piscataway on Sunday evening, March 16.
Very early in the game, Montgomery led 6-2. The Plainfield Cardinals took over the lead, 8-6, in the first quarter and quickly stretched that to a 10 point lead. The Cardinals held that lead for the rest of the game, ultimately winning with a final score of 65-48.
Ethan Lin (11) of Montgomery speeds down the court. (Photos by Barbara A. Preston)
After the game, Montgomery Head Coach Kris Grundy told The Montgomery News that he was nothing short of proud of his players and their 25-6 overall record (10-0 in Skyland).
"Basketball season starts way before people think," he said. "We are working out in the gym when there's nobody there. And now, all of a sudden, 4,000 to 5,000 people are watching us play! That's a credit to how hard they work and how well they have done."
When asked what he would tell his players in the locker room after losing the state championship title, he said, "I'm going to tell them I love them. I'm proud of them. They rallied this town. They brought everyone in Montgomery together. They deserve all the accolades they are going to get."
"Just being here in the state tournament, in this atmosphere with so many people watching us play a game is awesome. It’s a great experience for the kids. Obviously, we would have liked the outcome to be different, but just to get here is quite a feat."
CATCHING A BREATH - Montgomery's Bohdan Biekietov (33) — 6-9 at 210 pounds — was matched against Plainfield's Na'Jai Hines (25), nicknamed "Baby Shaq" (Shaquille O'Neal) and standing 6-10 at 250-pounds.
Biekietov, who is originally from Odesa, Ukraine, is headed to Franklin and Marshall on a scholarship. He averages 11 points per game and eight rebounds. He was an All-Group 4 standout last season. He moved to the United States in 2023 with his mother, Olga, and sister, Sophia, to escape the Russian bombs and make a better life. His father Dmitriy is still in Ukraine.
Montgomery Freshman Mike Simborski (15) shows his dribbling skills before a crowd of 4,000 to 5,000 spectators.
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Montgomery won two straight sectional titles in Central Jersey Group 4. The team will lose seniors Christian Hill and Bohdan Biekietov.
Montgomery Basketball Fans.
Head Coach Kris Grundy (left) with the Montgomery Basketball Team just before the state championship game at Rutgers.
Ethan Lin (11) of Montgomery takes a shot. He scored 18 points in the championship game.
Christian Hill (4) made two steals during the game.
Head Coach: Kris Grundy
Record: 25-6 • 10-0 in Skyland - Raritan
