Sports

Pearl River Boys Basketball To Search For Balance [VIDEO]

With Luke Houston among three starters who graduated, the Pearl River boys basketball team should be more balanced and could still make some noise in 2011-12.

Pearl River rode the offensive firepower of guard Luke Houston and an experienced unit used to playing together to the Section 1 Class A championship game last season.

Houston is gone, as are fellow starters Anthony Calise and John Donovan, leaving the Pirates looking like a very different team in 2011-12.

That doesn't mean they won't be a good one.

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Pearl River will rely on returning starters Joey Clinton and Austin O'Toole and a more balanced attack in its pursuit of another playoff run.

"It's not so much revamping as it's maybe a little more balanced this year," said Pearl River Head Coach Jerry Houston. "Joey Clinton is back and playing well. He's shooting well. Austin has been pretty steady as well."

Find out what's happening in Pearl Riverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I think we are going to be tough this year, as long as we can rebound and play defense," Clinton said. "Last year having Luke, it was a lot easier for all of us to score. Now more of the scoring is on all of our shoulders. We just have to get everyone involved.

"Other guys can step up. Sean Wilson is going to be tough this year. We also have shooters with Connor Madigan and Steve Gilheany."

Wilson should be in the starting lineup when Pearl River opens its season 7 p.m. Friday at home against Suffern.

"He played a big in both games at the County Center (the Section 1 semifinal and championship)," Houston said. "He's very athletic. He gives us versatility. He rebounds well."

Gilheany and Madigan are both options to start and both will play key roles this season.

"I see them as Joey Walsh types," Houston said. "They can give us a little offense and really give us good defense."

Sophomore Kevin Degnan, a versatile 6-foot-6 forward, is a likely starter as well.

"He has a unique skill set," Houston said. "He can post up and come away from the basket and make perimeter shots. It will be interesting having a player like Kevin. He's very different from what we've had before."

Houston said he expects the lineup and division of playing time to change throughout the season. The two constants will be Clinton and O'Toole.

"Joe Clinton played point last year and will again this year," Houston said. "This year, he's got to step into an expanded role offensively compared to las tyear. In practice so far, he seems to be doing that.

"Austin, I think of a kid who plays super hard. He is really competitive. He gives it all he's got. He has expanded himself offensively. He will get to the basket, get to the foul line. He is a capable three-point shooter. Last year, if we got scoring from him, great. This year, we've got to get scoring from him."

O'Toole expects the offense to be there for the Pirates, but he said after Saturday's scrimmage that the team still has a long way to go. Pearl River will be tested early with Suffern Friday, North Rockland Dec. 13 and then the Tappan Zee Tournament and the Pearl River Tournament.

"We have a week of tough games," O'Toole said. "It's a new combination of people. Last year, we had a lo tof guys back. The offense should come along, I hope, but the defense, it's all about how hard you work."

"I think we are going to be tough this year," Clinton said. "As long as we rebound and play defense."


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