One squad is riding a first-ever regional title in program history and has not lost to a team from NYS this season. Another continues its journey to a fourth state final appearance and looking for a first title since 2011. Wayne and Friends Academy meet for a chance to advance to the NYS Boys’ Class A final. Here’s the breakdown:
WAYNE EAGLES (23-2 / Finger Lakes East)
vs.
FRIENDS ACADEMY QUAKERS (20-4 / Section VIII)
Friday, Cool Insuring Arena, 10:45 a.m.
How they arrived here: Wayne defeated Wilson (83-51), Geneva (65-33) and Pittsford Sutherland (44-34) to reach the Section V Class A title game. The Eagles then downed top-seeded East 48-42 to capture the Class A crown and went on to beat Williamsville South (58-41) in the Far West Regional. Friends Academy dropped Malverne (58-50), Floral Park Memorial (55-52), North Shore (55-49) and Southampton (61-60) to reach the NYS semifinal.
Scoring offense: Wayne (59.5), Friends Academy (63.2)
Scoring defense: Wayne (41.8), Friends Academy (52.1)
Trends: Wayne is on a 20-game win streak and has not lost to a team in New York State this year, with its only two losses coming against Northview (CA) and Murphysboro (IL). After dropping four of its first five games in the season, Friends Academy has won 19 straight.
Players to watch for Wayne: Cam Blankenberg So. 23.1 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 4.0 APG, 2.5 BPG; PJ Ostrowski Sr. 16.6 PPG, 9.0 RPG; Stephen Habecker Sr. 6.0 APG, 3.0 SPG, 5.0 RPG; Josh Warner Sr. 2.0 BPG; Aidan Twist So. 5.0 PPG; Jonah Schichtel Sr. 4.0 PPG
Friends Academy: Jackson O’Brien Sr. 15.8 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.4 BPG; Kyle Kramer Sr. 11.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.9 SPG; Eyan Valadez 11.9 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.9 SPG; Joshua Alexander Mckenzie Sr. 9.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG; Jake Bock Sr. 8.2 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.2 SPG; Myles Morris 4.2 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.1 SPG.
Coaches: Bill Thomson (Wayne), Matthew Johnsen (Friends Academy)
History 101: Wayne is making its first NYS semifinal appearance in program history. The Eagles defeated Williamsville South (58-41) to capture its first Far West Regional title in program history. Friends Academy is looking to make its fourth state final appearance in program history. The Quakers last appeared in 2022 and fell 63-62 to Ichabod Crane (II). Friends Academy is 1-2 in the NYS final, claiming a state title in 2011 when the Quakers defeated Syracuse Academy of Science (III) 46-44.
What’s at stake: A spot in the Class A NYS final against the winner of Maine-Endwell (IV) and Glens Falls (II).
Leave a Reply