> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Pelham boys basketball returns to D2 title game with OT win over Coe-Brown - URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/pelham-boys-basketball-returns-to-d2-title-game-with-ot-win-over-coe-brown/ - Published: 2024-03-06T16:35:06.000Z - Updated: 2024-03-06T16:35:06.000Z - Description: DURHAM – It took a little extra effort, but the Pelham High School boys basketball team will get its chance to repeat as Division II champions. Top-seeded Pelham led by four points late in regulation of Tuesday night’s semifinal game against No.4 Coe-Brown Academy, when the Bears rallied to force ov - Author: Dan Doyon - Tags: Division II, boys basketball, Coe-Brown, Pelham, playoffs, slider, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44 DURHAM – It took a little extra effort, but the Pelham High School boys basketball team will get its chance to repeat as Division II champions. Top-seeded Pelham led by four points late in regulation of Tuesday night’s semifinal game against No.4 Coe-Brown Academy, when the Bears rallied to force overtime on a drive by Ryan Kouchoukos with 4.7 seconds remaining. Pelham senior Peter Hemmerdinger broke a scoreless overtime with a 3-pointer and the Pythons were on their way to securing a thrilling 59-56 victory at Oyster River High School. Hemmerdinger scored six of his 14 points in overtime, while classmate Zach James scored 17 points. “We felt like we had it, we made a couple of bad plays and credit to them, they made plays and that's what it’s about,” Pelham coach Joe Morin, Sr. said. “I just told the guys ‘the other team is going to make plays, we got four minutes left to play.’ Dom (Herrling) was on the bench and said ‘Let’s go four minutes to live,’ and that’s what it took.” Pelham (19-1) carries a 15-game win streak into Sunday’s Division II championship game at the University of New Hampshire’s Lundholm Gymnasium, where it faces off against No. 2 Hanover (19-1). The Bears advanced with a 48-43 win over No. 3 Pembroke (18-3) in Tuesday’s earlier action. The Pythons are aiming to claim the program’s fifth championship after also winning titles in 2006 (Class I) and 2015 and 2016 (Division III). Pelham defeated Pembroke in last year’s title game, 57-54. “That game was tough, (Coe-Brown) is close to here so I knew it was going to be a big crowd and that might have been the biggest crowd I’ve ever played in front of,” James said. “It feels great, but we’re not done yet.” Kouchoukos was fouled on his game-tying drive but missed the ensuing free throw to force the overtime. The teams went scoreless in overtime for over a minute when Hemmerdinger pulled up from the wing and drained the 3-pointer over Kouchoukos. Hemmerdinger followed shortly after with a floater through the lane to give Pelham a 56-52 lead with 2:30 left in overtime. “I’m still nervous, I’m still shaking from that game, but we fought hard and got the win in the end,” Hemmerdinger said. “I’ve been playing with these guys since the fourth grade and I was telling the guys the whole game that we can not lose to this team." Hemmerdinger knew he had to be up to the task because Herrling had to be a bit tentative with four fouls. “I knew Dom had four fouls and I knew he was going to kill time and do a little passing,” Hemmerdinger said. “I only had two (fouls), so I knew I had to take over, so I did.” Herrling (13 points) fouled out shortly after and Coe-Brown closed to within 56-54 following a hoop from Jack Matson (17 points), but Hemmerdinger sank a free throw with 50.7 seconds left and the Pythons made a defensive stop on Coe-Brown’s ensuing possession before a free throw by James (17 points) gave Pelham a 58-54 cushion with 15.4 seconds remaining. “Going into overtime I knew we were the better team so I was confident going in,” James said. “We have a lot of great shooters, especially Peter. That’s why we’ve got a great team; anyone can step up. He got that 3 and that floater. It was huge.” After trailing 28-27 at halftime, Coe-Brown took a 41-40 lead into the fourth quarter on a hoop by Matson. Quinn Salter also scored 17 points for Coe-Brown. “It’s always tough when you lose a game like that,” Coe-Brown coach Dave Smith said. “We had our opportunities which is all you can ask for and I was very proud of them.”