Pelham rules New Hampshire
Pythons edge Pembroke, 57-54, to capture state title
DURHAM, N.H. >> With the game on the line, Zach James and the Pythons seized the moment.
The junior forward netted a game-high 20 points, hitting five three-pointers in an electrifying first half, as the fifth-seeded Pelham High boys basketball team defeated second-seeded Pembroke Academy, 57-54, in the NHIAA Division 2 championship game at the University of New Hampshire.
The win marked the Pythons’ second state title and first since 2006.
“It feels great,” said James. “We’ve been working hard all year. We knew coming into the playoffs we’d have to make a championship run. We had a hard time getting here playing Manchester West and Laconia, but I knew once we got here we’d just have to play our best to get the win.”
A tight-fisted affair, the game came down to a battle of wills for both teams. Pelham had to battle back after trailing 31-30 at halftime and 44-42 entering the fourth quarter.
“We were down, but we weren’t out,” said Pelham coach Joe Morin.
“Our theme all year long was defense. We had to get stops. Don’t turn the ball over and then convert on offense. That’s what we did. They were a good team, but we were persistent. Our old varsity coach Mr. (Todd) Kress had a saying, ‘We out-pelham people’ and that’s what we did.”
Trailing 25-17 late in the first half, James came through in the clutch. After hitting a pair of big baskets to open the stanza, the 6-foot junior buried three consecutive treys to take the 26-25 lead.
“I knew coming in I was going to have to hit shots,” said James,
who had 15 points entering intermission. “I’ve been working hard on those, especially fadeaways, off dribbles and more game-type shots. They got me tight and left just a little open space to fire it, and I started hitting them.”
Pelham’s offense was spearheaded by the slick play of Don Herring (15 points, five rebounds, four assists), potting 10 first half points to get the offense in motion. The junior gave Pelham fans a brief scare when he exited the game late in the first quarter due to a lost contact lens, but was back to start the second quarter seemingly unfazed.
Meanwhile, Jake Cawthron loomed large under the boards. The 6-foot-2 senior
pulled down six of his game-high seven rebounds before halftime.
Pembroke held the slim 31-30 lead at intermission, sparked by the heady play of Mike Strazzeri (teamhigh 24 points), Josh Pilotte (eight points) and Joe Fitzgerald (11), but the Pythons remained just one shot away.
Herring, along with senior Jake Travis (eight points, six rebounds, four assists), continued to chip away early in the third quarter, before James hit a jumper drawing a foul. He netted the ensuing free throw, putting Pelham ahead to stay 45-44. Senior guard Alex Carroll (three points) and junior guard Peter Hemmerdinger (three points), held the fort for the Pythons the rest of the way.
“That second half was the turning point,” said Herring. “We came out,
took charge, gave the ball to our scorers and won the game.”
The team was also bolstered by the return of Cawthron. The defensive stalwart missed the bulk of the third quarter after taking an elbow to the face and receiving a bloody nose. But he wasn’t about to take a back seat with his title on the line.
“I told my trainer, just shove the biggest thing you can find up there,” said Cawthron, who was sporting gauze in both nostrils postgame. “Lock it up. I’m going back in the game, and she did just that.”
The win was especially satisfying for the Pelham veterans that last reached the finals in 2021, losing a 40-33 heartbreaker to Lebanon.
“I was part of the team two years ago as a freshman,” said Herring. “We
were looking to get some revenge.”
“I took that loss hard,” said Cawthron. “I felt we could win or lose, but I was happy with my teammates and I’m proud we got it done today.”
According to Pembroke coach Mike Donnell, the game was a classic high school showdown.
“It was a dogfight the whole way, all four quarters,” said Donnell. “I don’t know how many lead changes there were. There were a few, but I thought our guys played great. I thought their guys played great. Unfortunately, someone’s got to win and someone’s got to lose. Today was not our day. I told my guys don’t hang your head. You have a lot to be proud of and had a hell of a year.”
For Morin, it was the perfect way to cap his first season at the helm.
“This is phenomenal,” said Morin, who was brought in after Mike Larson stepped down due to personal reasons. “I started in Pelham back when Mr. Kress, James Roman and those guys won. It was unfortunate with Mike’s situation, but I’m blessed I got this opportunity to coach these boys. I’ve always sat up in the stands wondering what I would do. Now I know.”
Morin was quick to credit his predecessor as a key component to building this championship.
“Mike brought these boys to this point,” said Morin. “During the season, I’ve been able to rely on him for some input, so his fingerprints were definitely on this. This group of seniors know how to compete, know how to play. They’re winners, and they found a way.”