Pearl River Girls Basketball Beats Spring Valley (VIDEO)

The Pearl River girls basketball team ran through a few obstacles during Thursday's 65-30 victory at home against Spring Valley.

Junior point guard Marissa Scognamiglio missed the game as she recovered from a stomach virus and senior forward Christy Carty left early in the third quarter with an ankle injury.

The Pirates (13-1) seemed to have the most trouble with the extended halftime due to the celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, which featured an award for Pearl River Head Coach Lorraine Moylan.

"The delay didn't help," Moylan said in reference to a game that turned sloppy after the Pirates dominated early.

Senior Christa Scognamiglio dominated early and finished with a game-high 22 points despite sitting out the entire fourth quarter and much of the third. Carty and Jess Neugebauer each scored nine points for the Pirates, who took a 21-6 lead after the first quarter and were never challenged. 

Stephanie Rodriguez led Spring Valley with 11 points.

Marissa Scognamiglio and Carty are both expected to return for Pearl River's game 5:45 p.m. Monday at Tappan Zee, the one team to defeat the Pirates this season. That is the start of a tough final week of the regular season for Pearl River, which plays Albertus Magnus on senior recognition day 4 p.m. Wednesday Feb. 8 and then travels to face Class AA power Ossining 4:15 p.m. Friday Feb. 10.

"We have a big week coming up," Moylan said. "I look forward to it. The girls enjoy it."

In addition to the award for Moylan, Pearl River modified volleyball coach Marie Walmsley received the Lauren Buonocore National Girls & Women in Sports Day Award. Pearl River Middle School fifth grader Alexys Warner won an essay contest run by teacher Lisa Linehan. She read the winning essay, which focused on the growth of women's athletics, during the ceremony.

Check back with Pearl River Patch Friday morning for a full photo gallery by Carol Dyer and more details on the National Girls & Women in Sports Day ceremony.