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DURHAM — Even with star guard Justin Hojlo playing at far less than 100 percent, Pelham didn’t give up its dream of a Class I championship without a fierce battle yesterday afternoon.
It took a red-hot shooting performance by Portsmouth in the second half to prevent the Pythons (21-4 overall, 20-2 in Class I) from winning their second state title in four years, suffering a 61-48 loss before more than 3,000 fans at Lundholm Gym at the University of New Hampshire.
With his right shooting hand and wrist heavily taped because of an injury suffered in the semifinals, the high-scoring Hojlo (state-leading 28.0 points per game) focused more on playmaking.
Through three quarters, Hojlo (10 points, eight assists) helped keep the No. 1-seed Pythons in the lead, 37-36, against a talented Portsmouth club that split with the Pythons during the regular season.
But sixth-seeded Portsmouth (16-6), which had struggled early in the game, turned into a shooting machine in the fourth quarter. Led by high scorer John Mulvey, who scored 15 of his game-high 26 points in the final period, the Clippers were six of eight from the floor and 11 of 15 from the free throw line.
“They just made a lot of shots,” Pelham coach Todd Kress said. “We had a couple of defensive breakdowns, but give Portsmouth credit. It was tough to stop them.”
The loss ended a terrific four-year career for Hojlo. In those four years, he became Pelham’s all-time leading scorer with 1,810 points and led the Pythons to an overall record of 80-16 that included a state title (2006) and now a state runner-up.
Hojlo’s career point total is the second highest ever recorded in the region, trailing only Andover’s Chris Vetrano (2,090).
Losing Hojlo will be big, but the Pythons return a pair of tall and talented sophomores in 6-2 Stephen Spirou and 6-3 Michael Lombard, who combined for 25 points yesterday.

DURHAM, N.H. - His team's double-digit lead melting away, his Player of the Year candidate playing one-handed (able to use only his weaker hand), Pelham High coach Todd Kress wondered aloud what Justin Hojlo would be able to give him in the final eight minutes.

PELHAM, N.H. - Long before this playoff ever started, the NHIAA granted Pelham High and the rest of the power programs around the state a gift, with higher seeds earning two home games not just one.

PELHAM, N.H. — Scoring has never been an issue for Pelham but defense has, especially where Souhegan has been concerned.

Despite just sneaking into the Class I postseason as a 16th and last seed, the 6-12 Sabers have given teams fits. They scored more points than they allowed this season, rare for a sub-.500 squad, and lost seven games by two possessions or less. Souhegan even challenged the top-ranked Pythons in two close defeats, ringing up 75 points just a week ago.

Justin Hojlo scored 22 points in last night's 61-47 win over Hollis Brookine, increasing his career total to 1,691 point which established a new career scoring mark for the Pelham boys' basketball program. Hojlo passed James Roman (class of 2006) who finished with 1,680 points.

Sophmore Stephen Spirou capped an amazing 25 point night with four points in the last minute to cap Pelham's come from behind 67-64 over Bedford. Pelham was down 12 points midway through the third quarter and Spirou's second basket put the Pythons up 67-64. Senior star Justin Hojlo had a game high 26 points including all three of Pelham's 3-pointers.

Justin Hojlo had a typical Hojlo game with 35 points and 8 assists. His assists to Stephen Spirou changed the game around as Pelham broke it open in the second half of an 82-73 win over St. Thomas.

With the game on the line, Pelham turned to an unlikly hero. Forced into the game due to an injury, reserve senior forward Dave Wesson knocked down his first four free throws of the season, all in the final moments of the game to clinch the Python's 70-67 win over Milford.

PELHAM, N.H. - Portsmouth High, the only visiting team to win in this gym since George W. Bush's first term in office, looked a little too relaxed and comfortable lacing them up for last night's Class I boys hoop showdown.

PELHAM, N.H. - Portsmouth High, the only visiting team to win in this gym since George W. Bush's first term in office, looked a little too relaxed and comfortable lacing them up for last night's Class I boys hoop showdown.