Blankenberg guides Wayne to first-ever state final four
BUFFALO — Wayne star Cam Blankenberg and his teammates didn’t spend much time celebrating with the program’s first-ever regional championship plaque Saturday afternoon.
The 6-foot-5 sophomore point guard was quick to hand the award over to his coach Bill Thomson, whose Eagles are finally headed to the state final four during the program’s fourth Section V championship season.
Blankenberg appeared to be just as good as anyone in Section V, and now the entire state. He was unguardable during a 30-point performance in Wayne’s 58-41 win over Section VI’s Williamsville South in the New York State Public High School Class A Far West Regionals, helping the Eagles clinch a spot in next weekend’s state semifinals.
Not until Wayne’s impressive win over Pittsford Sutherland in the section semifinals did Thomson think they had a shot at section championship, nonetheless a final four appearance.
“No. I’m just going to be honest with you,” Thomson said when asked if he thought clinching an NYSPHSAA semifinal appearance was attainable in the preseason. “Our goal was to win (Finger Lakes East). Our goal was to make a run in the sectionals and see what happens.
I’d be lying if I told you, ‘Yeah this is where we thought where we’d be.’ I didn’t.”
What it means
Wayne coach Bill Thomson’s Eagles (23-2) will take their 20-game winning streak into next weekend’s NYSPHSAA championship tournament. They haven’t lost to an NYS opponent all season, and went 14-0 in league play. Williamsville South ended the season 16-9.
Play of the game
Williamsville South star Carter Lampke’s 3-pointer pulled the Billies within eight points early in the fourth. But Blankenberg couldn’t be stopped, nailing a trey of his own to return to a double digit lead that Wayne would not relinquish.
Players of the game
Cam Blankenberg
Blankenberg was brilliant all throughout his 30-point outburst. Even against double teams he played at his own pace, back pedaling to save time for a teammate to get open, or smoothly slipping through traps. Defensively, his length alone, alongside the likes of Ostrowski, Josh Warner and Jonah Schichtel, was menacing to the Billies.
“It’s the glue, man. We’re always together, (on or off) of the court, we’re always together,” said Blankenberg, who joined his brother, Mason, as a Section V champion last week. “We’re always having fun. It’s a business but we’re a family. I just love them.”
Blankenberg’s presence alone dictated the game as Will South’s blitzes never disrupted Wayne’s offensive sets as it intended to. With a Glens Falls trip on the line, Blankenberg still managed to surpass his season average 23 points per game.
“Obviously Cameron as a sophomore is doing things that most people cant do at this age. Just a smart, smart player. Very cerebral. He leads us … just by his play,” Thomson said.
Game balls
PJ Ostrowski
Wayne’s senior and two-time section champion scored 11 points. Ostrowski was defended well but made big buckets and defensive rebounds when it mattered. Jonah Schichtel, Stephen Habecker and Josh Warner all helped the Eagles’ outstanding defensive performance.
Carter Lampke
The Williamsville South star was the Billies’ only double digit scorer with 21 points on four 3-pointers.
“It’s crazy man. Especially with it being my senior year. It’s insane. It’s crazy,” Ostrowski said about clinching a Glens Falls berth. “My freshman year when I got pulled that was a very very good team, and I do think that they would have been here too. But it’s cool — it’s cool being here.”
What’s next
Wayne will play Section VIII’s Friends Academy in the NYSPHSAA Class A semifinals at 10:45 a.m. Friday, March 15 at Glens Falls’ Cool Insuring Arena.