By PATRICK WALSH
Cam Blankenberg and PJ Ostrowski tallied 51 of Wayne’s 61 points, leading the Eagles into the Boys’ NYS Class A final with a 61-48 win over Friends Academy (VIII) on Friday.
Blankenberg tallied 30 points and converted 10 shots from the field, including going 3-for-6 from beyond the arc. The sophomore also brought down eight rebounds and dished out five assists.
Ostrowski went 9-for-11 from the floor and knocked down 3-of-4 free throws. The senior grabbed eight rebounds and had five helpers and scored five of the first seven points in the contest.
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After holding a 34-30 lead at the conclusion of the third frame, the Eagles exploded for 25 points in the fourth. Blankenberg and Ostrowski combined for the first four buckets of the quarter. Josh Warner followed with a dunk and a basket inside the arc, before Blankenberg uncorked another three-pointer.
However, Friends Academy responded with five quick points to make it a 52-43 game. Jake Bock converted a three-pointer and Joshua McKenzie made a basket inside the arc. The Eagles then went on a 9-2 run that saw Blankenberg net seven free throws to pull away for good.
With the win, Wayne advances to its first NYS final in program history. The Eagles have yet to lose to a team from New York State this season.
Warner chipped in eight points and four boards. Aidan Twist went 2-for-2 at the free throw line.
For Friends Academy, Eyan Valadez led with 14 points and went 2-for-4 from beyond the arc. Valadez also grabbed five rebounds. Jackson O’Brien followed with 12 points, four rebounds and a pair of assists. Jake Bock chipped in 11 points and converted three shots from deep. McKenzie finished with eight points and nine boards.
Wayne advances to face Glens Falls in the NYS Class A Boys’ championship. A 5:15 p.m. tip-off is slated on Saturday at Cool Insuring Arena.
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