Tappan Zee Boys Basketball Holds On Against Pearl River [VIDEO]

With a few minutes to go in the first half, Tappan Zee’s Brian McLaughlin hit a three-pointer to give the Dutchmen a 15-point lead over Pearl River, and it looked like the two teams were heading for another blowout.

When they played Friday night at Tappan Zee, the Dutchmen scored the game's first 19 points, . But on Tuesday night at Pearl River, the Pirates never let the game get too out of hand.

After the McLaughlin three, Austin O’Toole hit a jumper on the Pirates next possession, and then a three on Pearl River’s ensuing possession. After two Pat Peterson free throws, O’Toole went back at it, scoring on a lay-up and a three right before the buzzer to cut the deficit down to nine.

The rally was not enough to save Pearl River from a second loss to Tappan Zee in four days, this time by a fianl score of 53-46 in a first-round game of the Pearl River High School Boys Basketball Holiday Tournament to Tappan Zee (5-0), they did battle this time out, losing 53-46.

“There was nothing really magical like, ‘Hey, we’re going to change this play or play a different kind of intricate defense,’” said Pearl River coach Jerry Houston, whose team fell to 2-3. “I thought it was mostly the kids’ effort and their mindset. We were all very disappointed with what happened over there Friday night.”

O’Toole agreed, saying the team knew it had to raise its effort from the previous game to compete Tuesday night.

“We just weren’t playing Pearl River basketball,” O'Toole said. “Other teams might have more skill, but we can’t let anyone play with more effort than us.”

O’Toole was the standout for the Pirates Tuesday, scoring a game-high 23 points, including 15 on three-pointers. Oddly enough, O’Toole hit a three at the buzzer to end the first three periods.

“The ball just kind of ended up in my hands each time, and I went for it,” O'Toole said.

Steve Gilheany and Sean Wilson both added in seven.

The Dutchmen spread the scoring out a bit more, with three players in double figures. Billy O’Shea led the way with 16 points, followed by Brendan Donohue with 12 and Peterson with 11. Tappan Zee is now 5-0 on the season after completing a sweep of its two regular-season meetings with Pearl River.

“They did a great job coaching with the zones and making us make outside shots,” said Tappan Zee coach George Gaine. “We didn’t shoot it well from the outside.”

On Friday, the Dutchmen hit nine three-pointers, but only connected on five from beyond the arc Tuesday night.

“It was tough, it was a grind out [win],” Gaine said. “That’s good. When you’re shots aren't falling, can you still make plays? I think we did.”

Peterson’s 11 put him two points away from 1,000 in his career. He said he was thinking about it a little because the fans were chanting for it throughout the game, yelling out how many points away he was after each basket. But he added that he will be happy whenever he gets it.

Tappan Zee will play Albertus Magnus for the tournament championship 8 p.m. Wednesday at Pearl River. The Pirates will face the Nanuet Golden Knights in the consolation game at 6 p.m.

Injury Notes

The Pirates were without starting point guard Joe Clinton, who was walking with crutches on the sideline. Houston said that Clinton has a sprained ankle the timetable for his return is uncertain. He doesn’t expect Clinton to play on Wednesday.

With less than a minute to go in the game, Peterson dropped the court and was taken out of the game, although he did return with a few seconds to go. Gaine said Peterson’s been having some muscle spasms in his leg, and it is something he is fighting through.

Download the movie