By Jeremy Goode
—
Oben Mokonchu heard all the noise at Friends Select during the first round of the Friends League playoffs between the No. 5 seed, Friends Central, and No. 4 seed Friends Select. Truthfully, the first three quarters had been a struggle on the offensive end, similar to his initial transition to Friends Central in the fall.
After all, until the last 11 seconds of regulation on Thursday, Mokonchu was shooting 0-7, including a 0-3 shooting from beyond the arc.
But as the sophomore had done all year, he progressed as time went on and make plays, ultimately being a major difference.
So, it was not a surprise for Mokonchu to drill a game-tying 3-pointer with 11 seconds left to send both teams into overtime, tied at 59.
“I just tried to find an open shot and once I caught the ball, I knew I had to go up; it was the best shot we had,” Mokonchu said. “I worked on that shot for endless hours and I knew when it left my hands it was good.”
Oben Mokonchu (above) came up big in the fourth quarter and OT. (Photo: Jeremy Goode/CoBL)
Mokonchu also came up big early in overtime, drilling another three-pointer to set the tone early in the extended four minutes of play, ultimately giving Friends Central a 70-67 win at Friends Select. After five points in the first three quarters, all off free throws, Mokonchu finished with 15.
The win sends Friends Central to the semi-finals at George School, who finished first in the regular season of the Friends School League.
For Friends Central head coach Devin Coleman, it was pretty simple: the young big man, Mokonchu hit timely shots.
“It’s a huge shot; saved the season in a sense, really,” Coleman said. “He shoots that shot all the time. He’s had games where he’s made multiple threes. I see him every day at practice, so I know what he likes and what he is capable of. That’s something we believe in him to do.”
The comeback by Friends Central really empathized the grit the team from Wynnwood, Pa. has. With 55 seconds left in the first half, Friends Select’s Isaiah Marshall nailed a three-pointer in front of Friends Central’s bench and blew a kiss towards his opponent. Coleman took exception, and play was delayed in efforts to sort out the commotion. Friends Central was outscored in the second quarter 26-9, and trailed Friends Select 38-27 at halftime while Friends Select had all the momentum.
Mokonchu noted that Marshall lit a fire in his team, and they outscored Friends Select 19-7 in the third quarter and took a one-point advantage into the fourth quarter.
After Mokonchu's theatrics forced overtime and a quick bucket from long distance in the first minute of overtime, he fouled out with two minutes left in overtime. Fellow sophomore Patrese Feamster picked up the pace, scoring eight of Friends Central’s 11 points in overtime. Feamster finished with a team-high 23 points, while junior point guard Gabe Moore added 19.
Coleman is proud to see Mokonchu grow, especially as the team relies on him during the playoffs.
“That’s the gift of a coach that you get to see all of the improvement,” Coleman said. “I know every little thing that we’ve been able to work on with him, so, to see those things come to a culmination and a huge moment for us is outstanding.”
Give credit where credit is due.
Coleman originally saw Mokonchu play at Spring-Ford last year as a sophomore against Coatesville. Coleman was intrigued by Mokonchu’s frame, and also his ability to stretch the court with his 3-point shot.
Coleman’s plan of bringing in a young big who had range fit Mokonchu’s desire to move on from Spring-Ford as well. He wanted a change in scenery and wanted to expand his game. It was nothing against his teammates at Spring-Ford. It was just a matter of taking the next step up, and taking advantage of the ability to repeat his sophomore year this season and move into the 2027 class.
“I knew if I wanted to play at the next level, I would have to play next-level competition night in and night out,” Mokonchu said.
Even though Coleman wanted to get Mokonchu to Friends Central, the plan was never to play him as much as they have during this season. After roughly the first six games, starting forward Nigel Pierman injured his foot, keeping him out for the entire season.
What that meant for Coleman and his team: next man up. Mokonchu had to fill in for what would have been Pierman’s minutes. It took a toll on Mokonchu, who was still getting used to his new school while playing increased minutes and an increased role on the Friends Central team that he originally did not expect.
Mokonchu got over his adjustment period, and began to contribute on both ends of the floor as the season went on. Against smaller teams, he was often the biggest guy on the floor, so he was able to get more reps down low, while also branching out and shooting three-pointers.
“Sometimes, kids don’t know all of what they are capable of,” Coleman said. “With Oben, he’s scratching the surface now with all of his abilities and things that he can do. So, it is constantly encouraging.”
The best way to learn could be to be thrown into the fire as some would say and see how that person reacts and adjusts. This has been the story for Mokonchu all year. He came from a different style of play at Spring-Ford. A lot of plays; not as free-flowing on offense like what Friends Central runs.
While transitioning from Spring Ford was difficult and lingered into the season, Mokonchu is pleased where his game is at and how he has grown during a major change in his life.
“It took a while to get used to this system, I’m not going to lie” Mokonchu said. “A lot of moving pieces. But, once I knew what I could do, my coaches had full support in me and I knew if I kept my head down and worked, my time would come. And it came.”
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By Quarter
FCS: 18 | 9 | 19 | 13 | 11 || 70
FSS: 12 | 26 | 7 | 14 | 8 || 67
Scoring
Friends Central: Patrese Feamster 23, Gabe Moore 19, Oben Mokonchu 15, Ari Jograj 8, Pierce Blackwell 5.
Friends Select: Jay Chiles 26, Isaiah Marshall 15, Ahmeil McLaurin 6, Micah Waters 6, Kenny Gaitling 5, Owen Coughlin 5, LaRon Smith 4.
Shooting
Friends Central: 24- 50 (11-25 3PT), 11-15 FT
Friends Select: 24-63 (8-28 3PT), 11-21 FT
Tag(s): Home High School Boys HS Friends' Schools (B) Friends' Central Friends' Select