Pearl River Sports: Boys Basketball Starts Fast Behind Degnan

Junior forward Kevin Degnan scored a combined 40 points in two games to earn MVP honors and lead Pearl River to the Rye Neck Holiday Tournament Championship over the weekend.

Degnan scored 21 points and pulled down 14 rebounds in Pearl River's 65-47 championship game victory over Rye Neck. 

The 6-foot-7 forward is off to a strong start, even outscoring an entire opposing team with 26 points in a 61-21 win at Ramapo. He enters this week averaging 16.8 points per game, 22.2 in the last three.  Pearl River is off to a 4-1 start despite playing every game so far on the road.

Senior Tom Davis has been a consistent second option. Sophomore guard Jack Byrnes gave the team a boost against Rye Neck with 16 points, making four 3-point shots.

Pearl River will finally get a home game 7 p.m. Tuesday night against rival Tappan Zee. The game was initially scheduled as part of . 

"It's unfortunate and it's disappointing," Santabarbara said. "Nyack admitted it was their error and oversight. I proposed a couple of solutions but they wanted nothing to do with it."

Pearl River also had to reschedule a girls basketball game from last Friday at opponent Clarkstown North's request. The teams will now play 4 p.m. Wednesday at Pearl River. The Pirates will enter that game with a 2-0 record.

Upcoming Schedule

Monday's Schedule

• Pearl River boys track compete in the Spiked Shoe Invitational, 4 p.m. at the Armory in New York City

Tuesday's Schedule

• Tappan Zee at Pearl River boys basketball, 7 p.m.

Wednesday's Schedule

• Pearl River vs. Suffern bowling at Hi Tor, 3:30 p.m.
• Clarkstown North at Pearl River girls basketball, 4 p.m.

Thursday's Schedule

• Clarkstown South at Pearl River wrestling, 4:30 p.m.

Friday's Schedule

• Pearl River vs. Clarkstown ice hockey at Palisades, 4:50 p.m.

Saturday's Schedule

• Oneonta at Pearl River girls basketball, 2 p.m.
• Pearl River ice hockey vs. Bronxville at Sport-O-Rama, 7 p.m.
• Pearl River girls track competes in Grinch Games at Fordham University, 8 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. 

Editor's Note: Pearl River wrestling home match against Clarkstown South 4:30 p.m. Thursday has been added to this report. The Michael O'Connor Wrestling Tournament is Dec. 28.