Wayne boys basketball falls in first-ever state title game

GLENS FALLS, NY (WROC) — The Wayne boys basketball team made it further than any other team in program history this season. However, the Eagles will have to wait a little bit longer for their first-ever state title as Wayne fell 50-37 to Glens Falls (2) in the Class A state title game.

Wayne started off slow in the first two quarters. They failed to make a basket in the first six minutes, but trailed only 11-5 after the first quarter. They were held without a field goal for the first four minutes of the second quarter, but were able to keep Glens Falls at bay, trailing just 20-12 at the half.

The third quarter started off much better, with Wayne cutting the lead to just four points, trailing 22-18 midway through the third. However, Glens Falls got hot and turnovers by the Eagles sparked an 18-1 run to close the third quarter. Glens Falls led 40-19 heading to the fourth and the final eight minutes were all but a formality.

“I’m so proud of these kids. Nobody had us being here, nobody. Nobody had us winning sectionals. Every game they just kept on getting better and better,” said Wayne head coach Bill Thomson. “They’re so coachable. They have heart. They never give up. I’m so proud of these kids. I couldn’t ask for a better team to coach.”

After a stellar playoff run, the Black Bears were able to hold Wayne sophomore standout Cam Blankenburg in check. He shot just 4 for 16 from the field and had 12 points. Blankenburg was able to eclipse the 1,000-point milestone in the fourth quarter.

“We knew that they were going to pull, tug, do everything to Cameron, we knew that they were going to double-team him,” said Thomson. “We found we had a mismatch with PJ [Ostrowski], we wanted to get him the ball a little bit more. Some of our other players had to step up and make shots but they just didn’t fall. Give credit to them, they did a great job of making ‘others’ play hard.”

PJ Ostrowski led the Eagles with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Kellen Driscoll led three Black Bears in double figures, scoring 15 points.

Glens Falls had the advantage of playing in Glens Falls in the championship game. There was an energetic crowd with long lines forming outside Cool Insuring Arena prior to tip-off. Thomson said while the Eagles were ready for the big atmosphere based on past experiences, it eventually took a toll on his team.

Wayne’s season ends with a 24-3 record. The loss snapped a 21-game winning streak and was the first loss for the Eagles against a team from New York.

Wayne graduates six seniors— Ostrowski, Peter Treasure Jr., Jonah Schnichtel, Stephen Habecker, Joshua Warner, and Jacob Neil Giudice.

“This senior class is all heart, great kids, good in the classroom, they’re together, and they believe in each other. I could not be more proud of the seniors,” said Thomson.

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