South Hadley junior Troy Johnson completed his first wrestling season by just missing placing in the top five of the 285-pound weight class at the New England tournament in New Haven, Conn., during the weekend.

Johnson won both his matches on Friday, defeating Stephen Johnson of Wells, Maine, 14-7, and pinning Phil Colasante of Ponaganset, R.I., at 2:30.

In his first match Saturday, Johnson was pinned in the third period by Terrence Jean-Jacques of Haverhill, who went on to win the 285-pound New England championship.

"I don't really think he out-wrestled me," said Johnson. "He just had a little more experience than I did at the time. I'm looking forward to seeing him next year."

With a chance of placing in the top five still within reach, Johnson handed a 9-2 loss to Sam Webster of Mount Anthony, Vt., and moved on to face Dan Amato of North Quincy.

Although Johnson had defeated Amato at the all-state tournament in February, Amato got the best of him this time. Amato's 6-4 victory eliminated Johnson from the New England tournament and ended his season.

"It's just a great honor to be considered one of the top eight, and I'm looking forward to making it even further next year," said Johnson.

"Its been an incredible season for Troy," said South Hadley coach Kevin McNeill. "This is a tournament that kids work their whole lives to make it this far. For Troy to come out with such little experience is amazing. He definitely went past expectations."

Along with his fifth-place finish in the all-state tournament, Johnson won the Division 3 state championship on Feb. 20. He also was one win away from being crowned the Western Massachusetts Division 3 champion on Feb. 13.

"He is motivated by defeat, and that's something you got to love as a coach," McNeill said. "It was a long season, and he battled all the way to the end. We have a lot to build on for next year."