A great game lived up to its billing at Pearl River today as the Pirates knocked Irvington from the ranks of the unbeaten, 56-55. The difference was Nicole Grossbard’s free throw with 35 seconds left. The freshman guard rebounded a Taylor Wilson miss and went back up with it, drawing a foul. Riley Harrington missed a 21-footer on Irvington’s last possession.

Coming in, the focus was on the two coaches. Lorraine Moylan just became the winningest coach in Rockland basketball history by beating Minisink Valley on Sunday. I was curious, after she picked up No. 448, who was ahead of her among all Section 1 girls basketball coaches. The only two over 400 are Ursuline’s Beth Wooters and Irvington’s Gina Maher. Wooters trails the three with about 430 (I didn’t get an exact figure). Maher thought she was in the high 460s. I asked her AD Artie McCormack to get an official tally. He came up with 472.

So even though PR and Irvington play twice a year, making their games not quite as special, it felt like a big deal to have a combined 920 wins in one gym. The winningest in Rockland vs the winningest in Westchester.

The two women were at their best today. You could see the chess match progress with each possession. Irvington came in brilliantly prepared for everything PR does best, and it took the Pirates a little time to realize it. Then they adjusted, and the Bulldogs adjusted back, and by the time there were a couple minutes left in the third quarter the game was tight as a drum. Neither team went up more than two points from then on.

Adding to the intrigue was the duel between Wilson and Tara Gabelman (both above). Both forwards have such diverse offensive games that they had trouble guarding each other. The teams spent plenty of energy figuring out how to contain them.

Wilson scored 26 points, nine rebounds, and four steals. Gabelman had 22, 12, and five assists. Wilson’s drives across the lane and 3-point shooting were a menace, as was Gabelman’s long reach down low and touch on baseline jumpers.

Pirates freshman Kerry Sullivan had maybe her best game with 11 points and nine boards. Her baskets always seemed to come in big spots.

Gillian Morley’s hoop tied the score at 55-55 with two minutes left. No one scored until Grossbard’s offensive rebound. So in the end it was Moylan picking up No. 449. Maher got her first loss of the year.

You can watch the broadcast of the game on Mogulus through this link.