Montclair Prep’s Victory Fits to a T : Treibatch Flexes Muscles in 50-43 Win Over L.A. Baptist

Eric Treibatch sports postgame attire that is consistent with his style of play as a reserve forward on the Montclair Prep basketball team. Forget the tailored shirt and tie routine. The casual, hooded sweat shirt look is also out.

On Tuesday night, following his team’s 50-43 win at home over L.A. Baptist, the 6-0, 185-pound Treibatch walked out into the cold and drizzle wearing a T-shirt with a “World Gym” logo emblazoned across his bulging chest.

“Shooting isn’t my game,” said Treibatch, who looks like a compact version of New York Giants tight end Mark Bavaro. “I just try to get in there and bust it if I can. Some people have to remind me that I’m playing basketball.”

Treibatch came off the bench and grabbed a game-high nine rebounds--many during a fourth-quarter surge--to help the Mounties (11-5, 8-0) move a giant step closer to their first Alpha League championship since 1985. L.A. Baptist (13-5, 5-3) has won three of the past four league titles.

“If someone would have said that we’d go 8-0, I’d say meet me and we’ll give each other high fives,” Montclair Prep Coach Howard Abrams said.

Montclair Prep led, 29-18, at halftime, but L.A. Baptist, with no player more than six feet tall, scrambled back time and again to challenge the bigger Mounties.

L.A. Baptist narrowed the gap to 34-32 with 6:49 left in the game before Treibatch made his presence felt. David Sanger, Montclair Prep’s 6-7 center, was ejected from the game for throwing an elbow into L.A. Baptist center James Hoback. But Treibatch then dominated the offensive boards.

“They were getting the boards,” said L.A. Baptist Coach Maury Neville. “Our kids just didn’t go up and get the rebounds.”