Coach of the year: Kris Grundy

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-2954973203532157772/somerset-county-boys-basketball-season-in-review-2013-14/

Coach of the year: Kris Grundy was gregarious even when he coached the freshman team at Montgomery. He went up and down the sideline during games, passionately gesturing to his players. He high-fived his players, and even doled out the occasional celebratory chest-bump.

When he interviewed for the varsity job nine years ago, he told principal Paul Popadiuk and Athletic Director Tony Maselli that he would be the same coach if given the top job.

“All that stuff? That’s me,” Grundy said. “That’s not a show. That’s how I played the game, and that’s how I coach. If I’m fortunate enough to get the job, that’s what you’re going to see on the varsity sideline as well. And they both said, that’s exactly what we want. We want someone who’s going to come in here and be passionate and be energetic and wear his emotions on his sleeve and care about the kids. That’s what I’ve done.”

That’s exactly what a packed Montgomery gym saw after Grundy’s squad topped East Brunswick in the Central Jersey, Group 4 semifinals. Red in the face from excitement, Grundy was high-fiving and hugging everyone in sight as he celebrated.

“Guys who know me and coaches around the county who are close to me, or my coaching staff, will tell you that there’s no smoke,” Grundy said. “What you see is the true Kris Grundy. I’m not out there putting on a show for anybody. And a lot of the emotion is wrapped up in just how much I love my players and my program.”

There was a lot to love in Montgomery this season. The Group 4 squad went 27-2, starting the season on a 22-game winning streak. Even after that was snapped byHillsborough in the Somerset County Tournament semifinals, Montgomery rebounded to rip off a five-game winning streak that put it in the sectional final.

“This group was just a very, very special group,” Grundy said. “The emotion that you saw after that East Brunswick game was because I wanted these guys to continue to experience everything they were entitled to because of their hard work.”

Grundy got the sense that this group could be something special during early-morning summer workouts. Even with games months and months a way, he could see how dedicated and determined his players were. He often reminded those players of their intense preparation during the season.

“I told them before the Trenton game,” Grundy said. “I said, ‘You’re going to take the court and there’s going to be 1,900 people in that gym. They’re here for you guys. But it’s amazing that when this journey started at 6:45 in the morning in June, there was nobody was in this gym, and no one saw how hard you guys were working. No one saw the heart and dedication and commitment to this basketball family. Because of that, because you guys were in here when nobody was cheering your name, that’s why there’s 1,900 people here.'”

The Montgomery faithful was treated to an epic showdown between its team and Trenton. Unfortunately for them, it ended with Montgomery losing.

Many Montgomery players walked off the court in tears, devastated that such a successful season had ended in such heartbreaking fashion. The team didn’t come off the court for 10 minutes after the game, still shell-shocked by the loss. The players didn’t leave the locker room until 11 p.m.

“All the varsity players came into the coach’s room and myself and my coaching staff and all the players just hung out and talked and talked about about the season, talked about past seasons,” Grundy said. “Talked about good times and bad times.”

It was a terrible ending to an otherwise successful season — and that fact won’t be lost on Grundy or any of the players.

“I’m just going to be thinking about a group of guys who not a lot was expected of when the season started,” Grundy said. “But at the end of the year, they saw what happens when you work hard and your committed to a bigger idea.”