Pearl River Sports: Basketball Teams Face TZ

The Pearl River boys basketball faces a key moment in the 2012-13 season 7 p.m. tonight at Tappan Zee.

Pearl River (5-4) comes into the game off a disappointing loss to Albertus Magnus Tuesday, looking to find some consistency in a rematch with a Tappan Zee squad the Pirates lost to at home Dec. 18. 

"There is not a lot of time to dwell on it," Pearl River Head Coach Jerry Houston, Jr. said after Tuesday's game. "We have to be ready for a physical game Friday."

Tappan Zee made it that way the first time around, with center Eric Casey playing a physical style against Pearl River foward Kevin Degnan. Casey scored 12 points, mostly off offensive rebounds, as the Dudtchmen relied on their three-point shooting.

Pearl River struggled offensively in the first meeting of these teams, scoring only 16 points in the first three quarters before Degnan led a fourth-quarter comeback, pouring in 16 of his game-high 26 points in the final period.

That was one of three losses by four points or less by the Pirates.

"We have to learn how to win," Houston said Tuesday. "It sounds stupid. Just score more points than the other team, but it's making those plays. Being stronger around the basket. Securing the ball. Knocking down free throws. We had opportunities slip away tonight."

Girls Basketball Matchup

The two schools will also face off in girls basketball today, with the game set for 4:30 p.m. at Pearl River. The two teams have not met yet this season. 

Tappan Zee lost three of its last four to drop its record to 4-3, including a loss last week to Albertus Magnus, which was without Division I recruit Maeve Parahus. The Dutchies feature one of the top players in Section 1 in Kristen McLaughlin. 

Pearl River responds with a pressure defense and balanced offense that has the Pirates 6-1 after a 60-54 victory at Albertus Magnus Wednesday. 

Hockey Update

Pearl River's ice hockey team is 2-8 heading into today's home game 7:15 p.m. against Briarcliff/Westlake. Saturday's game against Suffern has been rescheduled for Feb. 12 at the Mounties' request.

The Pirates are giving up 5.7 goals per game, with goaltenders Sam Coughlin and Kyle Lakowski carrying identical 5.72 goals against averages.

Max McGee and Kevin Murphy share the team scoring lead with 15 points. McGee has team-high 11 goals and four assists while Murphy has four goals and 11 assists. 

Former Pirate Wilson Closes on 1,000 Points for Manhattanville

Manhattanville senior Taylor Wilson will enter the Valiants’ game at Wilkes University 1 p.m. Saturday needing 27 points to reach 1,000 for her college career.

The Pearl River High School graduate leads Manhattanville with an average of 16.6 points per game this season. She scored 16 and pulled down eight rebounds in a 63-60 loss to William Paterson University Monday, then added 17 points in an 84-64 loss to FDU-Florham Wednesday. 

Friday's Events

• Tappan Zee at Pearl River girls basketball, 4:30 p.m.
• Pearl River boys basketball at Tappan Zee, 7 p.m.
• Pearl River ice hockey vs. Briarcliff/Westlake at Sport-O-Rama, 7:15 p.m.

Saturday's Events

•  Pearl River ice hockey vs. Suffern at Sport-O-Rama, 5 p.m. - RESCHEDULED for Feb. 12

Sunday's Events

• Pearl River boys and girls indoor track and field in league championships at the Armory in NYC, 9 a.m.

Share Sports Results, Pictures on Patch

Coaches, parents and other followers of Pearl River athletics, please send scores and information to ryan.buncher@patch.com or upload your pictures directly to stories about games as they are posted on Pearl River Patch. 

Don't forget this can include youth sports as well as updates on local athletes as they compete on the college level. 

Correction: The Pearl River will compete in the indoor track and field league championships at the Armory in New York City Sunday.