Friends Academy boys basketball loses to Maine-Endwell in state Class A regional semifinals

Matt Johnsen knew the outside expectations weren’t high when the season tipped off. Nor 15 games into the schedule. But there was the coach’s Friends Academy boys basketball team Wednesday night in Johnson City, playing via an at-large bid in the Class A regional semifinals.

It didn’t end well against Maine-Endwell. Despite getting 24 points from Chase O’Brien and 13 from Jax Saulter, the Quakers fell to the Section IV champ 66-56.

But there was much to like in the second half of the season.

“I’m proud of everything that they overcome this year,” Johnsen said from the bus along the ride home. “We started the season; our all-state player from last year [Eyan Valadez], he [had] transferred out.

“So I think a lot of people wrote us off right away. We started the season 7-8. We had some fourth-quarter losses. We lost some fourth-quarter leads early and we were struggling a little bit.

“The way they’ve rebounded in the season and come together and gotten better every day and worked and fought for each other to even get to this point, I’m just really proud of them. I’m sad to say goodbye to them.”

Friends Academy (14-10) trailed 35-23 at halftime and 53-29 after three before cutting it to seven with about two minutes left. But Maine-Endwell (16-6), which was led by Preston Acker’s 33 points, hung on.

“We went down swinging,” Johnsen said.

The 6-6 O’Brien made six threes along the way.

“He’s developed an outside game,” Johnsen said. “… But he’s also a really strong force at the rim. He’s good defensively as well, shot blocking, rebounder. He’s come a long way.”

O’Brien and Saulter are among those who could make next season even better.

“It’s hard to think about next year right now,” Johnsen said, “but when I do, the future’s pretty bright.”