That is why the Montoursville sophomore point guard woke up nearly every day at 6 a.m., last summer, working at Memorial Park for four hours. After a quick 30-minute break it was 4 ½ hours of weightlifting, shooting and practicing basketball.

No doubt, Cintron still seeks taking steps each day, but he already has taken some monster ones this year. He proved it again Tuesday against visiting Hughesville.

Cintron scored 16 points, made four steals and dealt three assists, helping Montoursville defeat Hughesville, 77-46 for its fourth straight win. Elijah Eck also scored 16 points and the Warriors (4-1) piled up 19 assists, while topping 70 points for a fourth straight game as every player coach Mike Mussina used made a positive impact.

“I wake up every day with a purpose, knowing I want to get better,” Cintron said. “I want to make a name for myself and, definitely, the first step was getting into the starting lineup and showing that I could be a three-year varsity starter.”

Montoursville head coach Mike Mussina shouts to his team as they play Hughesville at Montoursville High School. Montoursville won 77-46. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

He appears well on his way. Cintron played mostly JV last year but has given an already well-rounded team a powerful new weapon. He flies up and down the court like he has a jet pack attached, plays ferociously and sets the tone for a deep and balanced squad that is three points from being 5-0.

Montoursville displayed excellent balance again Tuesday, six players scoring at least eight points. Quarterbacking that offense is Cintron who can attack the basket, hit the outside shot and/or set up teammates. He did all three quite well against Hughesville.

“He’s motivated to get better and it’s showing. It’s impressive to see him attacking the basket, sharing the ball, playing defense, and rebounding the ball for a point guard,” Mussina said. “Obviously, he’s important to us. He runs everything we do. It’s fun to see the development that he’s had the last couple years.”

Even if not scoring a lot, Cintron can leave a big mark upon each game. But him reaching double figures in four straight games is quite a boost for a team returning four starters from last year. He gave Hughesville (2-4) fits with that explosiveness off the dribble, hit a buzzer-beating, foul-line jumper to close the first quarter and ignited a game-clinching 9-0 fourth quarter run.

Gavin Knarr played a tremendous game for Hughesville, and his 3-pointer cut a 24-point lead to 61-42 a little more than two minutes into the final quarter. Everything Cintron does, he does fast and he put the game away in similar fashion, first breaking down the defense seconds later for a layup, then scoring off a Zack Neill (4 assists, 3 steals) inbound before making a steal and finding Eck for a layup and converting a 3-point play.

Kingston Fisher of Montoursville puts up a shot under pressure from Evan Mackenzie of Hughesville at Montoursville High School. Montoursville won 77-46. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Just like that, Montoursville was ahead, 70-42 and Cintron showed just how quick he can spark his team, doing all that in less than two minutes.

“It’s a little nerve-wracking know I control the offense, but no matter what happens, even if I throw a bad ball or put up a bad shot, my teammates always are there to let me know that they have faith in me,” Cintron said. “That boosts me up and it puts a smile on my face knowing I have an army behind me.”

Cintron ran track for the first time last spring, and he credits coach Sean Walker for taking a fast athlete and giving him a Popeye spinach eating-like power boost. That added fuel makes Cintron both a blur on the court and the perfect quarterback for an explosive offense.

He sets the tempo for a team which likes pushing the ball and putting pressure on a defense. Whether against full-court pressure, half-court man or zone, Cintron is becoming a strong floor general. His all-around skills and inner fire helped Montoursville lead from start to finish and built a 41-20 halftime lead.

“Sean Walker me through pain, but it definitely helped. It traveled to basketball,” Cintron said. “Coaches tell me that’s my strength, my speed, so I was able to use that to my advantage.”

Elijah Eck of Montoursville puts up a shot against Hughesville at Montoursville High School. Montoursville won 77-46. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“He can do stuff you can’t teach. It’s fun when he’s out there doing what he’s good at,” Mussina said. “We don’t have to motivate him. Whatever his top level is, he wants to play at that level every game.”

Knarr is embracing a similar mentality and has been one of the area’s most improved players. He also is fast becoming one of its premier players. Poised and well-rounded, Knarr made 9 of 14 shots from the field and added three assists.

Despite quality pressure, Knarr scored in a variety of ways, drew fouls, attacked the basket and hit three 3-pointers. Alex Schultz added eight rebounds and two steals, while Malachi Flowers had six rebounds.

“Gavin continues to prove that he is about the right things. All of his hard work is showing on the court,” Hughesville coach Cam St. James said. “We need a rebound, he comes up with it; a steal, a bucket, the right pass, he is leading that charge. I’m proud of his continued fight and will to do whatever the team needs.”

The biggest difference Tuesday was the balance Montoursville displayed. It has been that way throughout the first five games with the Warriors frequently producing multiple double-figure scorers and others who are near those totals.

Brennen Imbro of Montoursville tries to hold onto the ball as Gage Webb of Hughesville tries to steal it during the second quarter at Montoursville High School. Montoursville won 77-46. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Shea Ulmer often is one of those players, but he used a defense designed to slow him against Hughesville to his advantage. He both set up teammates and opened the paint when he went to the corner and brought defenders with him. Cintron and Eck especially took advantage of those opportunities, and the inside-outside game was strong with Kingston Fisher (9 points, 8 rebounds) making a run at a double-double.

“We have a team that wants to rebound the ball and get up the floor and put stress on them as soon as we can. We’re scoring a lot of points and playing pretty good defense,” Mussina said. “We’re doing all the things we’re trying to teach them to do, and the intensity is there. We still have work to do and still have to get better, but I’m really pleased with how we’ve done so far.”

Montoursville controlled the boards as well, out-rebounding Hughesville, 37-28. Those second-chance opportunities loomed especially large in the first half when the Warriors started gaining significant separation. So, too, did the strong play from the bench.

Isaac Erlandson scored nine points, dealt two of his three assists and grabbed two of his four rebounds in that second quarter when Montoursville outscored Hughesville, 21-9. Brennen Imbro and Jay Houseknecht added eight points each. Together, Montoursville’s reserves generated 32 points, 14 rebounds and five assists.

“I’m proud of the guys for always pushing us in practice. We might laugh and make jokes at practice, but we always go 100 %,” Cintron said. “They work their butts off day and night, and we’re definitely building a brotherhood.”

Jay Houseknecht of Montoursville tries to put up a shot by Gavin Knarr of Hughesville at Montoursville High School. Montoursville won 77-46. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

HUGHESVILLE (46)

Gavin Knarr 9 7-9 28, Alex Schultz 3 0-0 6, Jonah Heiney 0 0-0 0, Evan Mackenzie 2 0-0 4, Gage Webb 1 0-0 2, Malachi Flowers 2 0-2 4, Carson Stackhouse 1 0-0 2. Totals 18 7-11 46.

MONTOURSVILLE (77)

Cam Cintron 7 2-2 16, Jay Houseknecht 3 1-3 8, Isaac Erlandson 3 3-5 9, Shea Ulmer 2 0-0 4, Brennen Imbro 4 0-2 8, Carson Menne 2 1-2 5, Elijah Eck 7 0-1 16, Zack Neill 1 0-2 2, Kingston Fisher 4 1-2 9. Totals 33 8-19 77.

Hughesville 11 9 17 9–46

Montoursville 20 21 18 18–77

3-pointers: Hughesville 3 (Knarr 3); Montoursville 3 (Eck 2, Houseknecht).

Records: Montoursville 4-1. Hughesville 2-4.

JV Score: Montoursville 42-35.

High Scorers: Cole Snyder M, 11; Michael Fuller, H, 13

Elijah Eck of Montoursville puts up a shot against Hughesville at Montoursville High School. Montoursville won 77-46. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Carson Menne of Montoursville puts up a shot under pressure from Alex Schultz (34) and Gavin Knarr (11) of Hughesville at Montoursville High School. Montoursville won 77-46. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Cam Cintron of Montoursville puts up a shot against Hughesville at Montoursville High School. Montoursville won 77-46. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Kingston Fisher of Montoursville tries to block the shot by Alex Schultz of Hughesville at Montoursville High School. Montoursville won 77-46. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Brennen Imbro (13), Isaac Erlandson (4) of Montoursville and Jonah Heiney of Hughesville reach for a rebound at Montoursville High School. Montoursville won 77-46. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Kiingston Fisher of Montoursville puts up a shot against Hughesville at Montoursville High School. Montoursville won 77-46. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Montoursville head coach Mike Mussina looks up at the scoreboard during a time out as they play Hughesville at Montoursville High School. Montoursville won 77-46. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette