- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,152,494
- Reaction score
- 59
SCRANTON — Local sports fans were taken on a whirlwind ride this winter, thanks to an unforgettable performance by the University of Scranton women’s basketball team.
The Royals reeled off 32 consecutive wins during the 2025-26 campaign, capturing the Landmark Conference title, earning a spot at the NCAA Division III tournament, and coming within a whisker of bringing home the national championship.
Scranton defeated NYU at the Final Four, ending the Violets’ 91-game winning streak. However, the Royals then saw their season end via a heartbreaking 55-41 loss to Denison in the title tilt.
More: Honesdale's Elyse Montgomery named Pacesetters "For the Love of the Game" award winner
Also by Kevin Edwards: Western Wayne grad Kaeli Romanowski leads UofS women into Final Four
Head coach Ben O’Brien pushed all the right buttons along the way, guiding his talented squad to a season that will go down in program history as one of the best ever.
“It really was an incredible run and a special group to be a part of,” said O’Brien, who has been named Division III Coach of the Year. “These players were a joy to coach, and it is a season I will never forget.”
Elyse Montgomery was a standout basketball player during her time at Honesdale High School.
“I really enjoyed growing up there,” Montgomery said. “The community support is so special. I’ve had so many coaches, teachers and friends reach out this season. I’m grateful because I know these people will always be in my corner supporting me.”
A four year member of the Hornet varsity who twice served as a team captain, Montgomery earned high marks for her natural ability and blue collar work ethic.
She was a versatile, selfless player who excelled in the paint, on the perimeter and in transition. She also starred on the soccer pitch, helping Honesdale to three appearances in the District 2 playoffs.
Montgomery suffered a serious knee injury that cost her a big chunk of her junior season. However, she battled her way back into the starting line-up as a senior and amassed 193 points on the strength of 71 field goals, 7 treys and 30 free throws.
Ron Rowe coached Montgomery during her varsity years. He watched with satisfaction as she carved out a spot for herself among the Lackawanna League elite.
“Elyse showed outstanding basketball knowledge and instincts from the first time she stepped on the court as a freshman,” the Hall of Fame skipper said. “Elyse was a natural leader and had a work ethic second to none.”
Following a stellar senior season, Montgomery was named the Pacesetter Athletic Club’s prestigious “For Love of the Game” award winner.
“I’ve had the opportunity to watch Elyse play in person and she’s certainly very deserving,” said Pacesetter co-founder Ron Ulias. “She is an outstanding young woman who personifies everything ‘For Love of the Game stands for.”
Not long after accepting the Pacesetters award, Montgomery announced that she’d be continuing her academic and athletic career at the University of Scranton.
She earned a spot on the Royals roster as a freshman and found myriad ways of contributing to the team. The 5-11 forward saw action in 12 games, scoring a total of 16 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.
As a sophomore, Montgomery appeared in 18 games and doubled her number of minutes played. She tallied 17 total points, while hauling down 20 rebounds and handing out 7 assists.
“I’m always looking to grow and earn a larger role,” Montgomery said. “It’s tough sometimes, but every role is extremely important for our success. I’m definitely learning a lot about myself on and off the court.”
Montgomery made key contributions to this year’s Scranton squad — a group that quickly began turning heads all across Division III.
“Since arriving on campus, Elyse has worked tirelessly and made tremendous strides in her development,” O’Brien said. “She’s also grown into one of our strongest leaders and most respected players.”
By late February, the Royals had locked up the Landmark Conference regular season and tournament titles. On March 6, they opened up their national championship quest with a 104-39 blowout of Framingham State University.
The very next day, Scranton thumped Otterbein 82-43 and punched its ticket to the Sweet 16.
“Everybody on this team wants the best for each other,” Montgomery said. “We all have supreme confidence in each other. No matter who we’re up against, we always play together. Everyone will sacrifice and do whatever it takes to win.”
Scranton continued its magical run by defeating Bates College and Concordia-Moorhead in advancing to the Final Four.
This year’s Division III showcase was held in Salem (VA) at Roanoke College. There, the Royals eliminated NYU in the semifinals. This impressive 60-52 win put Scranton in the national title game for the first time since 1985.
“We were ecstatic,” Montgomery said. “We knew we could do it, so we just needed to prove it to the rest of the country. We were thrilled to beat NYU, but more happy to survive and get to play another game.”
The title tilt pitted Scranton against a Denison University (29-2) squad that had prevailed over Wisconsin-Oshkosh (28-3) in the other semifinal match-up.
Sadly for a big group of Royal rooters who made the 410-mile trek to Roanoke, Scranton ran out of steam in sustaining its lone loss of the season 55-41.
“This season was truly an amazing experience,” Montgomery said. “Being surrounded by these awesome teammates and coaches has pushed me to be my best every day. The Final Four was one of the most special weeks of my life and I’m forever grateful to be part of this team.”
Elyse is the daughter of Jay and Emily Montgomery. She’s a sophomore majoring in marketing.
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: University of Scranton women's basketball Elyse Montgomery Honesdale
Continue reading...
The Royals reeled off 32 consecutive wins during the 2025-26 campaign, capturing the Landmark Conference title, earning a spot at the NCAA Division III tournament, and coming within a whisker of bringing home the national championship.
Scranton defeated NYU at the Final Four, ending the Violets’ 91-game winning streak. However, the Royals then saw their season end via a heartbreaking 55-41 loss to Denison in the title tilt.
More: Honesdale's Elyse Montgomery named Pacesetters "For the Love of the Game" award winner
Also by Kevin Edwards: Western Wayne grad Kaeli Romanowski leads UofS women into Final Four
Head coach Ben O’Brien pushed all the right buttons along the way, guiding his talented squad to a season that will go down in program history as one of the best ever.
“It really was an incredible run and a special group to be a part of,” said O’Brien, who has been named Division III Coach of the Year. “These players were a joy to coach, and it is a season I will never forget.”
Setting the stage
Elyse Montgomery was a standout basketball player during her time at Honesdale High School.
“I really enjoyed growing up there,” Montgomery said. “The community support is so special. I’ve had so many coaches, teachers and friends reach out this season. I’m grateful because I know these people will always be in my corner supporting me.”
You must be registered for see images attach
A four year member of the Hornet varsity who twice served as a team captain, Montgomery earned high marks for her natural ability and blue collar work ethic.
She was a versatile, selfless player who excelled in the paint, on the perimeter and in transition. She also starred on the soccer pitch, helping Honesdale to three appearances in the District 2 playoffs.
Montgomery suffered a serious knee injury that cost her a big chunk of her junior season. However, she battled her way back into the starting line-up as a senior and amassed 193 points on the strength of 71 field goals, 7 treys and 30 free throws.
Ron Rowe coached Montgomery during her varsity years. He watched with satisfaction as she carved out a spot for herself among the Lackawanna League elite.
“Elyse showed outstanding basketball knowledge and instincts from the first time she stepped on the court as a freshman,” the Hall of Fame skipper said. “Elyse was a natural leader and had a work ethic second to none.”
You must be registered for see images attach
Following a stellar senior season, Montgomery was named the Pacesetter Athletic Club’s prestigious “For Love of the Game” award winner.
“I’ve had the opportunity to watch Elyse play in person and she’s certainly very deserving,” said Pacesetter co-founder Ron Ulias. “She is an outstanding young woman who personifies everything ‘For Love of the Game stands for.”
Onward and upward
Not long after accepting the Pacesetters award, Montgomery announced that she’d be continuing her academic and athletic career at the University of Scranton.
She earned a spot on the Royals roster as a freshman and found myriad ways of contributing to the team. The 5-11 forward saw action in 12 games, scoring a total of 16 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.
You must be registered for see images attach
As a sophomore, Montgomery appeared in 18 games and doubled her number of minutes played. She tallied 17 total points, while hauling down 20 rebounds and handing out 7 assists.
“I’m always looking to grow and earn a larger role,” Montgomery said. “It’s tough sometimes, but every role is extremely important for our success. I’m definitely learning a lot about myself on and off the court.”
Montgomery made key contributions to this year’s Scranton squad — a group that quickly began turning heads all across Division III.
“Since arriving on campus, Elyse has worked tirelessly and made tremendous strides in her development,” O’Brien said. “She’s also grown into one of our strongest leaders and most respected players.”
You must be registered for see images attach
By late February, the Royals had locked up the Landmark Conference regular season and tournament titles. On March 6, they opened up their national championship quest with a 104-39 blowout of Framingham State University.
The very next day, Scranton thumped Otterbein 82-43 and punched its ticket to the Sweet 16.
“Everybody on this team wants the best for each other,” Montgomery said. “We all have supreme confidence in each other. No matter who we’re up against, we always play together. Everyone will sacrifice and do whatever it takes to win.”
Final Four memories
Scranton continued its magical run by defeating Bates College and Concordia-Moorhead in advancing to the Final Four.
This year’s Division III showcase was held in Salem (VA) at Roanoke College. There, the Royals eliminated NYU in the semifinals. This impressive 60-52 win put Scranton in the national title game for the first time since 1985.
“We were ecstatic,” Montgomery said. “We knew we could do it, so we just needed to prove it to the rest of the country. We were thrilled to beat NYU, but more happy to survive and get to play another game.”
The title tilt pitted Scranton against a Denison University (29-2) squad that had prevailed over Wisconsin-Oshkosh (28-3) in the other semifinal match-up.
Sadly for a big group of Royal rooters who made the 410-mile trek to Roanoke, Scranton ran out of steam in sustaining its lone loss of the season 55-41.
“This season was truly an amazing experience,” Montgomery said. “Being surrounded by these awesome teammates and coaches has pushed me to be my best every day. The Final Four was one of the most special weeks of my life and I’m forever grateful to be part of this team.”
Elyse is the daughter of Jay and Emily Montgomery. She’s a sophomore majoring in marketing.
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: University of Scranton women's basketball Elyse Montgomery Honesdale
Continue reading...
