While classes may be out due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, school will still be in session for some of our local gals… on the court, that is.
I will be making my way down to the Pirates Cove again to see Pearl River host North Rockland in what is arguably a battle of the best two teams in Rockland. Monday will be the first of two meeting between these two teams this week, so whoever is on the wrong side of the scoreboard Monday will have little time to wait for revenge (rematch is Friday at North Rockland).
Regardless of the extremely slim schedule, this game probably still would have been our “Game of the Night.” By the way, I was able to track down our GOTN from Friday this evening and am proud to report that I have (finally) recorded my first correct pick (John Jay beat Somers, 40-31). Let’s see if I can make it two in-a-row on Monday…
Senior captain Missy Scognamiglio (left, driving) will lead an experienced Pirates squad against sophomore Ciera Rivera (right, driving) and the talented, young Red Raiders.
MIKE SEZ: These two are very evenly matched on many levels — both are quick, both can score, and both are lacking in the height department. This will be a perfect “Offense vs. Defense” match up, as one of the top offenses in North Rockland takes on one of the top defenses in Pearl River. I’ve seen North Rockland a couple of times this year, and even in the games I haven’t seen, the M.O. is the same: the weakness is in the paint. North Rockland reminds of a winning version of the Los Angles Lakers — everyone knows they can score, but they also allow more points than they should, which, more often than not, makes them work harder than they have to. Again, remember that there’s nine freshmen and sophomores on this team. Pearl River’s defense is swarming, they are more experienced than North Rockland, and they will have the comfort of playing on their home court. Pearl River may not always score a bunch, but they will lock down most teams on defense. I think North Rockland will have to shoot the ball lights out to win this game, mainly because I don’t see them getting very many good looks at the hoop. I don’t see this game being very high-scoring at all, so something tells me free-throw shooting will play a big factor. As I said earlier, the Pirates have the experience, defense, and home-court advantage; I think all signs are pointing to a “W” — Pearl River wins it, 57-50.
PHIL SEZ: I’ve been impressed with Pearl River’s supreme fitness and discipline. Neither team has the distinct height advantage, so it will be fast-paced. I know North Rockland can score in bunches, but against a team that can match them in that category, I think Pearl River takes it, 66-56.
Game of the Night recap: (Overall record, games broken by final score)
Phil Terrigno: 3-1 (2-0)
Mike Zacchio: 1-3 (0-2)
Monday, January 21
Cornwall at Suffern, noon
North Rockland at Pearl River, 2 p.m. — GAME OF THE NIGHT
Peekskill at Non-region opponent, 3 p.m.
Yorktown tournament
Consolation: Pelham vs. Yorktown, 3 p.m.
Championship: Nanuet vs. Lakeland, 7 p.m.
Prediction recap:
Today’s record: 0-0
Season record: 167-55
43 Comments
Think you guys are spot on for the NR/PR game..nr can score in bunches and Rivera,Mullarkey,Burden are the operators of the Nr offensive juggernaut,but pearl river plays that lock down press defense and score a lot of turnovers…I say 55-51 w/pr winning…
Suffern up at halftime 32-14
Sorry 47-21 after 3
PR will win by at least 15…NR is overrated
PR won 70-54, final. North Rockland is definitely not overrated — they outscored PR 48-46 in the final three quarters. Bertolino was out most of the game (foul trouble, see post-game notes later). Plus, they are ridiculously young; they had five freshmen/sophomores on the court most of the game. Pearl River is just very good; they’re defense was totally overwhelming today. They had close to 10 steals in the first quarter. Would love to see the rematch Friday.
Over-rated isnt the correct adjective but stop with the NR is young…PR has 4 freshmen and a sophomore who play a lot of minutes as well. South is young, so is Albertus and TZ too. The best players play regardless of age, the difference today was better players and a much better coach
Experience is a big part of PRs success. Knowing when to slow the pace down is something NR hasn’t learned yet…it will come with experience. But for now PR is the better team because of their experience.
Pearl River isn’t even that experienced only 2 of their players played substantial minutes last year..they are very young as well
Heard Coach Metcalf was blowing up like crazy/in fact in one of your tweets Mike said he was going to get a T. Did he? Agree that NR is young/but think the freshman Mullarkey,sophs Burden and Rivera show great poise for youngsters ! And yes I think Bertolino is overated/shes an average hs girl player. The team is Mullarkey,Rivera,and Burden
It was just for that moment; he wasn’t going nuts all game, but no, he didn’t. There was probably two minutes left in the game, so I think the ref just kind of let it go. I’ve seen coaches get T’d up for less, which is why I thought he would. Bertolino had a great game for limited time — led all players in scoring and barely played the 2Q or 3Q because of foul trouble.
PR is not even that experienced – Missy Scogs only starter back from last year and Amanda Decourcey played a ton of minutes as well last yr. No other players have real experience – PR just plays hard and are tough on defense. Good team overall
Unfair comment about Bertolino. I’m positive if you asked her teammates (especially the 3 named) how important she is to the team they wouldn’t use the word overrated. Bertolino has shown leadership and unselfishness all year. The team looks up to her and that can never be overrated. Let’s not divide and conquer our own team.
With the amount of AAU ball these kids play now I don’t think grade means as much as it used to.
Mike and Phil, Why do you allow a post (by Bert) which directly criticizes a young female HS basketball player by name (Bertolino) to be printed while you apparently censure the comments of others? These are kids who have parents, friends and, btw, feelings.
As a rule, we only censor comments that are crude, vulgar or if we deem them inappropriate. The comment you reference is no where near as inflammatory as the comments that Mike and myself sift through and ultimately discard. Opinions are certainly allowed and we have been extremely consistent in the moderation of comments.
Opinions not allowed
@stannergrad..I’m sorry if you took it that way as I tried to tread lightly with my comments,don’t mean to disparage young females but being from Rockland and going against the named girl think she is good and she beat my cyo teams for years(she played for SGB)and she has done well with her hs team vs where I’m from…she is a good hs player/ but think with teams focusing on the big three(burden,Rivera,mullarkey) she gets a lot of slack,pts,etc..but is a solid player..but I will digress and after talking with 3 Rockland hs girls coaches will bring up a strange point..her coach who reads the blog is the league(rockland ??)rep at section meetings she missed 1/4 of the season last year/only was doing like 11 pts a games(still impressive) but was voted 1st team all section…now when I think 1st team all section I think pariahs of am,castaldo of cs,scog’s( either) of pr,Paul of Tz,argenzio of tz,etc not the coaches pet…
@Phil, Thanks will make sure I stay within the lines
@stanner grad. 1 more thought. We name girls left and right for positive things,if I name something negative without being derogatory what’s the big deal…I’m not slamming her just pointing out a few things
Ki
And
Rock-hoops – I agree with your comment on the better coach, but NR’s players are more athletic and just as skillful as PR’s. If Metcalf knew how to to break a simple 2-2-1 press, knew how to teach defense, NR easily wins. NR’s defense is horrid. That’s a reflection on the coach. They are running around like they are lost. How many wide open 3’s did PR have during the game? 27-30? Head coaches must adjust as the game develops and make adjustments. Metcalf never attacked the 2-2-1 press which resulted in turnovers and a 24-6 deficit after the first quarter. He was also indecisive on his defense. He has a week to teach his girls how to attack a 2-2-1 press and figure out the best defense to play against PR. If I had to make a prediction about Friday’s up coming game, Metcalf doesn’t make any adjustments, because he doesn’t know how too, and NR looses the exact same way they lost today. Come on coach, give the girls the tools they need to win the game!!!
Bertolino is the best player on that team, you have no clue Bert.
Joey – no one on NR is as skillful as Scogs or as athletic. Bertolino and burden are very good guards. Burden is only going to get better. Mullarkey is ok, nothing more. If rivera works on her left and a short jumper she could be very good. PR will win friday because they are a better team, and have a much better coach
Folks, there is much debate as to what constitutes experience. Yes, there is some validity to the comment made that the best players end up on the floor BUT more often than not the more experienced TEAM beats the best player.
Experience isn’t just a grade in HS…true game experience gives a team an advantage. While I was not in attendance at today’s game, I’m familiar with PR’s style…nothing flashy but they make an opposing team pay in many ways (TO’s, poor defense, foul shooting). They may have two juniors, a freshman and sophomore in their starting rotation but the have a solid SR leader in Scogs.
Taking nothing away from the talented freshman and two sophomores that NR has, they will go through their growing pains. Someone mentioned the 2-2-1 pressure that PR applied and NR’s troubles against it. Rarely do such problems come from poor coaching, (although as I said I was not in attendance) since there are only so many ways to break pressure, but rather poor decision making that comes from lack of game experience together.
If anyone saw Irvington play PR…no problem with the pressure, why, experienced SR leadership. With that said, NR will be tough for years to come as they have a solid JV program. Couple the up and coming young talent with the then JR and SR experienced leadership…and NR will have a team to be reckoned with.
Looking forward to reading any comments or opinions…
CHSAA, Joey, Rock-hoops
I agree with all three of you. PR definetly has the better coach and if Metcalf did make any adjustments during the game instead of screaming at the refs maybe his team would have won. North Rockland has a ton of talent and will for the next couple of years but unless the coach teaches them defense and makes adjustments they will not go anywhere. Pearl River great on the defense, coaching, and in transition. It should be a great rematch on Friday. Good luck to both teams.
CHSAA, I agree.
going back to “experience” in PR, it depends how one defines experience. Scogs has played on varsity since freshmen year and of course is a good leader just like C. Scogs was in her HS career. She is skillful, yes, possibly one of the best PG in Rockland. Basketball is not her main sport – soccer is. She plays basketball only during the high school season and that is it for the yr. She goes against girls like Parahus and McLaughlin in Rockland who play 12 months out of the year and does just fine. Yes she is experienced because of how long she has played with the varsity PR squad. Its basketball IQ and knowing the game. She does that well, which is what NR will have in a few years when they are seniors. NR can only grow from here
Sounds like Pifruck has issues and may be a little disgruntled…but overall comments about players should be positive this forum is getting out of hand. The girls are aware that posts are made so all comments should be kind regardless. And Pifruck doesn’t have a clue as to what goes on with North Rockland team…they are all for one and one for all. Bertolino is a humble and generous player as well as the other girls…they have good days and bad but they play with heart. Metcalf may not be the best coach according to some but he has alot more class than you think. he has had his work cut out for him and finally has a team that came out from the shadows into the light…so get off Bertolino’s case she’s a good solid player and is as essential to the team as the jauggernauts.
@ rock hoops..I disagree. I think Ciera Rivera is the best kid( girl) in the NR program followed by burden,then Bert,then mullarkey but we cherish your opinion Mr Bertolino
Taken from yesterday’s notes – Scognamiglio said. “Yes, it’s a little weird playing a press that they do, and breaking a press the same way they do, it’s kind of like a flip-flop
sorry but don’t personalize this…and correction this is not Mr. Bertolino..so clearly this is yet another thing you have no clue about. @PiFruck
Bert Pifruck, clearly you have never seen North Rockland play if you are calling one of their best player’s(if not their best player) overrated. She is one of the best players in the league, and plays a huge role on their team; she gets points, steals, and is one of the best defenders in the league. I think that you need to get some glasses and check out another one of their games. She leads the team by example, and accepts one of the hardest roles on any team; to be a leader. Now, if being overrated means being a natural leader by scoring points and being a huge factor in her teams wins, then yes she’s extremely overrated.
Bert – I’m a PR parent, not Mr Bertolino. It just shows how much of a disgruntled parent you are. I know all the girls from both teams very well. See where NR would be without Bertolino. Rivera is a very good player as is Burden but the team goes as Bertolino goes for now. That may change as the season progresses since the latter 2 are both sophomores.
Good afternoon all,
Just for the sake of keeping emotions from running too high, I’d just like to ask everyone to please be courteous and respectful of one another. Debate is good, I just want to try and nip things in the bud before people start getting to rough on criticizing our high school girls, coaches, and parents. For the most part, comments have been fine thusfar, we’ve just been seeing some that are getting more questionable to approve.
Sincerely,
MZ
Np
I think debating the best player leads to the exact reason why NR has in my opinion underachieved to spite thier record. They dont share the ball, take tons of ill advised shots, would rather basket hang then rebound as a unit (a small unit at that), and for the most part some of the younger players are playing for points vs wins. This may very well be a reflection of coaching. During a tournament in Weschester the best player on the floor was Rivera, however 2 other players were given MVP (this foolishness leads to selfishness). PR has been using that press for years and unfortunately coach hasnt made the proper adjustments to break it. The 2 2 1 press is easy to break and is a reflection of coaching and gaurd play. If/when NR plays unselfish bball and defense they will be hard to beat…this will make them winners and lesson th debate on who is the best…FYI…the best players play on both ends of the court!
I am looking forward to seeing Fridays game and hope it is competitive. Hopefully NR will make some changes, I believe they can beat anyone with proper planning and better point gaurd play and decision making. They will need to be far more effecient and value possesions in the re-match or it will be another lop sided win for PR.
@Timmy – Just out of curiosity, who on NR does not share the ball? I have seen many game’s and I totally disagree
Name and timmy
I don’t think it is that they don’t share the ball but that they take many quick shots instead of using the clock and working for a better shot. Shot selection could be better! But still a very talented team. The big issue I see hurting them down the line is their defense. They really need to work on it. It should be a great game on Friday. Good luck to both teams!
For those of you who read the articles in Lohud.com and MSG-TV, you saw that they both stated Bertolino help to create a loss for NR by being in foul trouble less than six minutes in the first quarter. Given that, go to Maxpreps! My question is: “How can this player be awarded “Player of the game”? Is this coach on another planet? How can he think she feels good about it and how does he think he makes the other players feel, who had to give more than their fair share of hussel? Come on coach, at least be fair and honest with your players!
@name you are entitled to your opinion. I am an adult and above calling teenage girls out by name on a blog. I simply wanted to state my opinion, which I certainly hope the panel respects as well. One point I did fail to make however is the fact that in high school sports rotations are shorty. This isnt CYO where everybody must play. The games I was fortunate enough to attend you may also notice the opposing teams bst players NEVER leave the court. This philosophy should be applied to NR for its best palyers as well. At the end of the day 14-18 yr old girls dont need rest i.e. Tim Duncan or someone. I wish the NR team the best and look forward to seeing them reach there full potential.
@observation I agree with the quick shot thing and that leads me to say hey dont share the ball, thank you. I also agree on the defense but they arent using the proper schemes…i.e. vs Clarkstown…the girl had 40 pts all in the paint and they kept playing man vs a packed in zone. Clarkstown made 2-5 jumpers the entire game. I think if they implement the proper scheme they may enjoy more success and rebounding by all 5 girls has to be emphasized. More patience on offense will certainly help and you cant have absolutely no ball movement. It doesnt appear they run many set plays either.
@grace Good point, those kind of decisions arent fair.
Yes better defense wins games, but it is not always coached. More often it is a mind set that many players can not master because it takes work, and sweat squared. More mind then body, once the basic skills of defense are learned.
Geez if the press were “easy to break” PR would be a far less effective and regular winner of games. Timmy in theory you may be correct but not in the heat of a game and for PR especially at their home court. Many turnovers and many years of success prove you wrong and some of the best PG players have had a problem with the PR press. Their press can be over come yes but “easy to break” no way. When a team exibits the skill, team work, and patience to break that press they often, score easy and beat PR.
Next…. all players at every level need a rest, without it they become ineffective, in particular if they press, or are being pressed. PR which won did not do so without subbing did they? The teams that do not sub either have players who while tired are still more effective then their rested bench. Or more likely it is a coach who will not trust or try out the very “team” he professes to coach.
@grace Didnt the same thing happen at the tourney in Westcheter? The other teams parents couldnt beleve the selections of at least one of the MVP’s.
Timmy,
I don’t know, because I wasn’t at that tourney.
@grace and @Timmy..seems to be a ongoing situation that Coach Metcalf is perpeatrating
Everybody understands the need for a parent to push for their child. The problem is when people feel they must knock others to do it. Again NR individuals feel it necessary to pretend to be someone other than they are.( i.e. “i heard from a friend” or “someone told me”.) Stop dividing the team with this nonsense. Lets stop promoting one player at the detrement of others. Its obvious that the same people are blogging under different names when simple words like “loses” is misspelled twice “looses”. Its embarassing to NR and its tradition.
@ grace. Thanks for the tip of maxpreps…while it is good and I like the feature that you can research past years for that team. My only problem is that in researching other teams they all don’t enter results/stats…maxpreps isn’t associated with lohud so it’s not as simple as just extracting numbers from one site to another..not fair that some coaches don’t enter the stats