Rutgers Prep Downs Montgomery to Reach Somerset County Final

photo by: Marco Morales | coverage by: AJ Morales

Big-time teams don’t just score when things are rolling. They respond when momentum swings, when shots fall for the opponent, and when the pressure tightens late. Rutgers Prep did exactly that Saturday morning at Franklin, knocking off Montgomery 65–57 to punch its ticket to the Somerset County Tournament final.

The semifinal opened exactly how most expected: fast, physical, and filled with shot-making. Montgomery’s Mike Simborski wasted no time asserting himself, while Ethan Lin stretched the floor early. On the other end, William Brunson immediately made his presence felt for Rutgers Prep, attacking downhill and setting the tone offensively. The first quarter featured plenty of traded buckets, with both teams comfortable playing at pace.

As the game moved into the second quarter, Rutgers Prep began to separate itself with discipline rather than flash. The Argonauts tightened up defensively, rotating with purpose and contesting without fouling. Offensively, their ball movement started to open the paint. Instead of forcing shots, they attacked gaps, kicked out to shooters, and drew smart fouls to build rhythm. Even when Lin buried a late three to trim the margin, Rutgers Prep maintained control and carried a steady lead into the break.

Montgomery continued to lean on Simborski in the second half, and he delivered, finishing with a game-high 31 points. Lin added 20, keeping the Cougars within striking distance. But every time Montgomery made a push, Rutgers Prep answered. That became the defining theme of the game.

Brunson was everywhere. He finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists, but his impact went beyond the box score. He played disciplined defense on Lin, helped anchor the glass, and made the right read in key possessions. Nicolas Nsenkyire complemented him perfectly, scoring 15 points while creating chaos defensively with three steals. His ability to jump passing lanes and turn defense into offense helped halt multiple Montgomery surges before they could fully build.

Rutgers Prep’s balance showed throughout. Logan Franz added 12 points, Rocco Loomis chipped in 10, and the team finished with 17 assists, a reflection of the trust and chemistry within the group. The Argonauts won three of the four quarters and never allowed the Cougars to dictate tempo late, even as Montgomery made one final push in the fourth.

After the game, Nsenkyire pointed to preparation and togetherness as the foundation of their success. “Every day in practice, we just work hard and prepare for each team we play against,” he said. “I just like finding my guys, my guys find me. We all play together. We’re a really tight-knit group, and we’re looking forward to our county championship next weekend.”

With a likely showdown against division rival Gill St. Bernard’s ahead, the focus is already forward. “We played them twice already this year. They’ve been on our mind. We’re gonna see them next weekend, and we’re gonna be ready,” Nsenkyire said. “We’re gonna win a county championship. You can count on that.”

The confidence does not stop there. “Rutgers Prep is gonna win a state championship at Rutgers University.” That belief has fueled this group all season. Saturday’s win was not about one run or one player. It was about poise, preparation, and answering every challenge thrown their way. Now, with a county title in sight, Rutgers Prep looks ready for whatever comes next.