EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the fourth story in a series on the top local high school boys' basketball players of the past decade.
During his time with the Central Purple Pounders, Ryan Montgomery knew he was good enough to play college basketball.
Once he received an opportunity in an environment he was comfortable with, he went out and proved his worth.
The recruiting process seemed difficult at times for Montgomery, but once nearby Lee University - the Gulf South Conference program was still new to NCAA Division II competition at the time, having previously competed in the NCCAA and NAIA - extended an offer, he had found a home.
And even in a program rich in history, he stood out.
Montgomery's Lee playing career finished prematurely in March, when the coronavirus pandemic ended his senior season and prevented the Flames from making the program's first appearance in the D-II national tournament. It was still a productive career, one he finished ranked 15th in scoring in program history with 1,327 points after averaging 18.1 per game as senior to rank second in the league and make the All-GSC second team.
Part of that progress came from his growth on the perimeter: Montgomery made 49 3-pointers as a senior, 19 more than he made in his first three seasons - combined. He attempted only 100 shots behind the arc those first three seasons, a total of 84 games, before attempting 134 and succeeding at a 37% rate as a senior.
Montgomery believes it was a lack of confidence more than a lack of skill that kept him from taking more long-range shots before this past season, so he did what it took to build that.
"I worked on it every day, all summer," he said. "I went to the gym in the morning, then went back again at night and put up more shots. I dedicated a lot of time to it."
Not surprisingly, with the growth of players such as Montgomery and fellow senior Parker Suedekum, the Flames made progress, too. The program went from 11 wins in the pair's first season (2016-17) to 16 to 15 to 22 this past season.
Montgomery's current challenge is taking the next step in his career, with the 6-foot-6, 210-pounder working on securing a professional contract during the pandemic. He is slated to graduate this summer from Lee with a degree in digital media with a studio emphasis.
"It was a great experience," Montgomery said of his career. "I learned a lot. I made a lot of connections, met people I never thought I'd meet and made some long-term friendships. I enjoyed myself; to watch myself grow as a basketball player and as a person was pretty cool.
"Lee was a really good school. It challenged me in a lot of ways. Lee was the perfect place for me."
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3.
Staff photo by Robin Rudd / Central's Ryan Montgomery dunks the ball over Marion County's Kane Hale during the first round of the Times Free Press Best of Preps boys' basketball tournament on Dec. 26, 2015.READ MORE OF THE SERIES
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Howard's Brandon Walters made progress with big boost from Hustlin' Tigers coach
McCallie's Jorden Williams made good use of time at Sewanee
Former Cleveland standout Ish Sanders found his scoring touch