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# Hollis Brookline boys basketball holds on to beat Merrimack Valley, advance to D2 final (video)
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/hollis-brookline-boys-basketball-holds-on-to-beat-merrimack-valley-advance-to-d2-final-video/
- Published: 2018-03-13T16:11:33.000Z
- Updated: 2018-03-13T16:11:33.000Z
- Description: DURHAM - The memory of last season was fresh on the minds of the Hollis Brookline High School boys basketball team heading into Monday's Division II semifinal against Merrimack Valley. The last time the Cavaliers stepped on the court at Lundholm Gym, they'd come up short of reaching the championship
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Division II, boys basketball, Hollis Brookline, Merrimack Valley, playoffs, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

DURHAM - The memory of last season was fresh on the mind of the Hollis Brookline High School boys basketball team heading into Monday's Division II semifinal against Merrimack Valley.

The last time the Cavaliers stepped on the court at Lundholm Gym, they'd come up short of reaching the championship game.

That wasn't going to be the case this time around.

After getting out to a big lead in the first half, top-seeded Hollis Brookline held off a furious second half charge by the No. 5 Pride and advanced with a 46-43 win at the University of New Hampshire. The Cavs move on to the title game for the first time since winning it all in 2004, where they will face No. 7 Oyster River on Saturday.

"Last year, we came up short and that hurt us all," HB senior Matt Simco said. "We came here focused and ready to go. We set our goals, and it’s not all focused on winning, it’s about the things we do to win. When we execute those things at a high level, we knew we could get back here."

Simco led the way for the Cavs (18-2), scoring 21 points and grabbing 14 rebounds, despite sitting for almost eight minutes of the second half with four fouls, and his two free throws with 23.9 seconds left gave HB a three-point cushion. Matt Dowling was also in double figures with 14 points and added eight rebounds, as HB held a 38-18 edge on the glass.

Merrimack Valley (15-6) got 12 points off the bench from Jack Prewitt, as he went 4 of 6 from behind the 3-point line, and Caleb LeClair had 11 points. Ryan Defina and Kyle Dube each added 10 points for the Pride, who were 7 of 21 from 3, three of which came in the final 90 seconds of the first half to turn a 24-9 HB lead into a 26-18 advantage.

HB led 43-35 with 1:33 left in the game, but Prewitt and Dube also hit a pair of 3s in the final moments of regulation to help get Merrimack Valley within three points. A jumper by Defina with 40 seconds left made it a one-point game before Simco's two free throws provided the final score.

The Pride tried to get an open look from 3 on the game's final possession, but HB's perimeter defense held and Dube's attempt came after the final buzzer.

"We work on the things that make us successful," HB coach Cole Etten said. "They got after it and work hard, and that’s what they did. They’re a very good team. They have a bunch of quick guys out there, so it was important for us to keep them out in front. They hit a bunch of 3s out there, so we had to defend the 3-point line."

The Cavs took control of the game early, jumping out to a 6-0 lead and taking a 12-2 advantage into the second quarter. HB was getting to the basket and scoring, shooting 52 percent from the field in the first half, but Merrimack Valley was able to get back in the game with its long-distance shooting.

LeClair hit a 3 midway through the second to cut HB's lead to 18-9, but the Cavs scored six straight points to lead by 15 with 1:59 remaining until halftime. Prewitt hit his first 3 of the game with 1:21 left in the half and Dube followed with another to make it 24-15 with 49.2 seconds to play.

Simco scored with seven seconds left, but the Pride quickly got down court and Prewitt banked in a deep 3 at the buzzer to make it an eight-point game.

"It kind of surprised us," Dowling said. "They banked two 3s at the end of the half. If they’re going to make them, they’re going to make them. The whole time, coaches were telling us to stay calm and stay within our game. Don’t force anything."

HB was still up seven in the third quarter when Simco picked up three fouls - one offensive - in a stretch of 36 seconds. Dube and Defina each made a pair of free throws to cut the lead to three while Simco went to the bench with four fouls.

"That hurt, but watching my guys, they did a really good job out there," Simco said. "I wanted to get back out there, but they know the sets and did a good job."

The Cavs got the lead back up to six early in the fourth quarter, but by the time Simco returned with 4:48 remaining, Merrimack Valley had cut the lead to two. But back-to-back baskets by Simco and Dowling got the lead back to six points and two free throws from Simco made it an eight-point game when Prewitt and Dube hit their 3s to bring the Pride back.