Pearl River Advances in State Girls Basketball Playoffs

Pearl River dictated the pace of its NYSPHSAA state Class A regional playoff game Tuesday against Owego at Johnson City High School.

The Indians never could handle the Pirates' pressure. Pearl River sprinted out to a 13-point lead after one quarter and never looked back on the way to a 61-33 victory.

Pearl River (21-2) will now play Section 9 chamion Red Hook (15-6) in the regional finals 5:30 p.m. Friday at Mt. St. Mary's College in Newburgh. 

Oswego (13-7) had no answers for Pearl River senior Christa Scognamiglio, who piled up 18 points, nine rebounds, six assists, four steals and deflected 13 other passes. Senior forward Kerry Sullivan score eight points, came up with eight of the Pirates 24 steals and a team-high 10 rebounds.

Senior guard Allison Cook made two 3-pointers and scored 12 points. Junior point guard Marissa Scognamiglio scored nine points to go along with nine rebounds and five steals. Senior foward Christy Carty had eight points and seven rebounds in the victory. 

Pearl River also shut down 6-foot-3 Owego center Rachel Merrill, holding her to seven points, nine below her average of 16 per contest. Senior point guard Courtney Malia led the Indians with 11 points in the final game of her career.