Trailing by 10 points with 6:14 left in regulation, Pelham boys basketball found a way to keep the dream of a state championship three-peat alive.
The No. 4-seeded Pythons closed out the fourth quarter on a 13-3 run to force overtime, then — sparked by a thunderous dunk from Brady Hegan — controlled the extra session to earn a thrilling 66-60 victory over No. 5 Coe-Brown in the Division II quarterfinals on Friday night.
Pelham advanced to take on top-seeded Pembroke Academy in the Division II semifinals on Monday (7:30 p.m.) at the Rochester Rec. Center.
The Pythons grabbed a 23-18 lead after a quarter, and held a 30-25 advantage at halftime on Friday. The Bears took command after the break, and held the 10-point advantage nearly halfway through the fourth quarter, before Pelham stormed back to earn the win.
Luke Estell led the way for Pelham with 19 points. Hegan, who battled double-teams all night, scored 18 points, including his high-flying slam. Justin Bowlan added nine points — most importantly going 6 for 6 from the free throw line.
The Pythons (16-4) will next face Pembroke (17-2), in a rematch of the 2023 Division II title game. Pelham won the regular season matchup, 64-53 on Jan. 7.