Johnson makes point for young Cougars

   ”They have been working from the day we lost to Trenton last year until opening night,” Montgomery coach Kris Grundy said. “Through all of our practices they have been very committed to what we are doing. This has the potential to be a historic season. No Montgomery team has ever three-peated in the (Skyland) conference and this team has a chance to do that.”

   The Cougars opened the season in promising fashion with wins over North Plainfield and Delaware Valley. In both games they relied on their trademark defense to get the job done.

   ”We started off well,” said senior Kevin Johnson, who is in his first season as the Cougars’ starting point guard. We still some things we have to work on. We’re a really young team and we’ll get used to each other and things will come together.”

   Johnson is one of four new starters in the lineup for the Cougars, who return only Tim Maloney from last year’s top five. But no matter who is on the court, the Cougars know their identity comes from their defense.

   Added Grundy: “We are hanging our hat on defense first. Maloney is back, Mike Rubayo played a little bit last year. Johnson played a lot as the first guard off the bench. Justin Kovacevich didn’t play much at all but he got some varsity time. We have a lot of new guys playing at the varsity level for the first time.”

   It may take the Cougars a little time to gain the experience they need, but they know that if they keep working hard, positive results will come.

   ”Last year we had nine seniors, so we lost most of our primary players,” Johnson said. “Me being a veteran of the team, I know a lot of expected of me. I have some experience and feel like I have to lead more than in the past. As a point guard I am an extension of the coach on the court.

   ”I like it because it I would rather be an extension of the coach than sit back and listen to someone else tell me what to do. We needed a lot of guys to step up and they have been getting used to it and doing well. Since we are a young team we felt people would be more nervous than they have been on the court.”

   The Cougars opened with a 71-34 win over North Plainfield, then held DelVal to 39 points in a 60-39 win.

   ”Every day the coaches tell us to look up at the banner because we have been conference champs and we don’t want to be the year we’re not up on that banner and go as far as we can in the tournaments,” Johnson said. “We have all worked hard since last season ended. We are young so we have to work hard.

   ”Being a lead guard like I have to be and as a senior, it is all tied into winning games and getting guys to work hard and do their best.”

   With such a young roster, Grundy is happy to be able to put the ball in the hands of a player like Johnson.

   ”He has improved a tremendous amount since last year,” Grundy said. “He is a gym rat who is working on his game all the time. He had a good off-season and had been a leader for us. I always say the point guard is an extension of the coach on the floor and he has been great.”