NJ Group 4 State Championship: Plainfield 65, Montgomery 48

In the final game of New Jersey's 2024-25 high school hoops slate, with thousands looking on at Rutgers, the vaunted Plainfield Cardinals put the exclamation on a historic season while staking their claim as the best overall team in the state with a commanding win to take home the Group 4 state title. As they have all winter, sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2344521' first='Micah' last='Gordon'] (24 points) and senior post [player_tooltip player_id='1889492' first='Najai' last='Hines'] (18 points, 16 rebounds) did the heavy lifting while forming an inside-out duo that Garden State hoop fans will be talking about for years to come. Despite the setback, Montgomery was led by an impressive 18 points from junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1790209' first='Ethan' last='Lin'], who continued to establish his own momentum as he looks to make noise on the recruiting front this spring and summer.    Already staking a heavy claim as the state's best guard as just a sophomore, Gordon capped a remarkable underclass segment of his career with a dominant 24-point effort. He boasts pristine footwork and an impeccable skill level off the bounce, navigating through traffic with his head up and feet squarely underneath him at all times. Combined with the skillset is a high-level mind for the game, which Gordon uses to pick and choose his spots as a scorer or playmaker like a seasoned vet, as he's taken a back seat as a scorer oftentimes throughout the year. But with the lights shining brightest, Gordon came out aggressive in search of his own offense and mixed in a pair of deep 3s to go with his extensive downhill repertoire. The future is bright, but the present is just as sweet as Gordon looks to continue stacking high-major interest on the AAU circuit with a state title now in hand.     As he's become accustomed to doing to any and every opposing frontcourt he's faced throughout his year in the Garden State, Hines imposed his will with a dominant performance in the paint. Using his natural physical gifts (a bruising frame, soft hands, nimble feet, and explosive leaping ability) and an insatiable desire to beat down the opposition, he wreaked havoc as a rebounder, rim protector, and interior finisher. Multiple highlight-reel slams were complemented by emphatic blocks and soft-touch finishes via acrobatic moves on the block. When all was said and done, Hines had his 26th double-double in as many games on the year, with a state championship as the cherry on top in a historic season during his lone high school year in the state.     While he didn't come away with the win, Lin put a stamp on his breakout junior year with an admirable 18-point effort to lead the Cougars as he had all winter. Known early in his career as a shooter, he's gradually transitioned into more of an on-ball role while still making his mark from deep, which he did on Sunday with a quarter of shots from long range. With polished footwork and an increasingly shifty handle, Lin keeps defenders guessing before rising up on a dime into his silky jumper. He shows an ability to mix things up with knifing drives into crafty finishes or passes. If he's able to carry his production, efficiency, and winning ways into the spring and summer, it won't be long before a host of mid major programs are clamoring for Lin's services.     Making up the other half of a formidable inside-out duo with Lin, Bieketov put up an admirable fight while contending with Hines in his final high school game. With a versatile skillset, the native of Ukraine looked to use his perimeter skill to drag the opposing big away from the rim. While he didn't convert from the arc, he uses his playmaking ability from the point and off the dribble to make his presence felt. Bieketov was also key on the other end, racking up three blocks and a pair of steals as the back line of the Cougars' defense. While Hines presented a more than formidable foe and came away with the win, Bieketov continued to show why he looks to be a steal at the D3 level for Franklin and Marshall.     It's been a breakout senior season for Hill, who's more than quintupled his scoring output from his junior year while stepping into a key complementary role as a floor-spacer. Hill was key in supporting the bookend inside-out duo of Lin and Bieketov, chipping in with 10 points and knocking down a pair of 3s. He's become known for his long-range exploits throughout the year, knocking down more than 60 shots from beyond the arc. While he'll take his talents to Monmouth in the fall for track and field, Hill undoubtedly left an impression on any of the thousands looking on at Rutgers in what would be his final game on the hardwood.

In the final game of New Jersey's 2024-25 high school hoops slate, with thousands looking on at Rutgers, the vaunted Plainfield Cardinals put the exclamation on a historic season while staking their claim as the best overall team in the state with a commanding win to take home the Group 4 state title. As they have all winter, sophomore guard Micah Gordon Micah Gordon 6'0" | PG Plainfield | 2027 State #69 Nation NJ (24 points) and senior post Najai Hines Najai Hines 6'9" | C Plainfield | 2025 State NJ (18 points, 16 rebounds) did the heavy lifting while forming an inside-out duo that Garden State hoop fans will be talking about for years to come. Despite the setback, Montgomery was led by an impressive 18 points from junior guard Ethan Lin Ethan Lin 6'4" | PG Montgomery | 2026 State NJ , who continued to establish his own momentum as he looks to make noise on the recruiting front this spring and summer.