Hollis Brookline's James Arthur drives on Hanover's Wyatt Daigle during the Division II semifinals last Monday in Rochester. (Photo by Dan Doyon)

DURHAM – It’s the Final step, and Hollis Brookline boys basketball coach Ryan Kelley knows it will be the toughest.

The No. 1, 20-0 Cavaliers are this close to a perfect Divison II championship season when they take the Lundholm Gym floor at the University of New Hampshire at 12 p.m. Sunday.

Only one team stands in HB’s way to a magical season and first title since 2018: the No. 2, 16-4 Pelham Pythons, a team the Cavaliers downed 69-60 in Pelham waaaay back on Dec. 16. Pelham has lost just twice since.

“It’s so long ago, we’re two different teams if I’m being totally honest,” Hollis Brookline coach Ryan Kelley said. “They tripped a couple of times early early early. Then they went on what, a 14-game winning streak (actually, a 16-2 run.)

“It’s a totally different game. I don’t know if I’ll watch the film from that, honestly.”

Kelley hopes Sunday’s game is a film he’d enjoy watching over and over. The Cavs, led by 6-6 senior center Alton Williams, played one of their closest games all season in beating No. 4 Hanover 42-38 in the semis this past Monday.

“The semifinals, that was the first time we had ever gotten to that game,” Kelley said. “Well guess what, we’ve already played in a new game before. While we’ve never been to the Finals, it’s just the first time we’ve been there, just like the semis. In a way we’ve been in this environment before.”

HB will be seeking its third title; they won their first won back in 2005 when they beat none other than Pelham, 61-53, in the old Class I (Division II equilavent) after three finals losses in what was Class M (the Division III equilavent).

Pelham now will have been in four of the last six finals, winning back-to-back titles in 2023-24, and back-to-back Division III titles in 2015-16.

The Cavs played on a big floor in the semis in Rochester and they will be on another one at Lundholm.

No problem.

“Defensively we don’t mind at all,” Kelley said. “That’s been our No. 1 the three years I’ve been here, and it’s building up to where we’re at. I freaking love where our man-to-man is right now.

“It’s only going to get harder. Playing Pelham they are in your shirt every dribble. We’ve got to get ready for that. … Pelham’s going to come out and get in our shirt at half court.

“These Final Four matchups are awesome matchups So defensive-minded. … It’s full court, in-your-face all the time. It’s all about defense.”

And that’s why Kelley knows his offfense will be put to the supreme test.

“It’s going to be whether or not we can get to our spots and not be in foul trouble” Kelley said. “And whether or not they can figure out how to stop us.

“I don’t want to make it that simple, but it kind of is. James Arthur is going to score what he’s going to score, he’s going to hit some buckets. The twins (sophomores Marco and Renzo Bergskaug) and Dylan (Kelley), they’re going to get their opportunities for a run out curl and a layup; those things are going to happen. The question is can we get Alton to 12 to 18 (points), and, oh by the way with a couple of free throws in their too.”

Pelham’s height is in 6-4 Brady Hegan, but he’s more of a wing player, not post, and likely won’t be charged with the task of defending HB’s Williams, who had 21 points in the regular season game. HB was up 34-19 at the half, gave up 23 in the third to let Pelham back in it, and it was a back and forth final quarter. Luke Estell led Pelham with 17 and Brady O’Connor had 14; the two seniors each each had 13 to lead them in the semifinal. There’s likely HB’s defensive focus.

Williams had 15 defensive rebounds in that early regular season game.

“Matchup-wise we’ve got the tough guy with Alton,” Kelley said. “It’s really hard to stop him in the inside, that’s been the difference in the games.”

The Pythons have eight seniors to HB’s three, and some or all of them had that finals experience two years ago. But the Cavs have come a long way since when Kelley took over the program three years ago. They may have exceeded expectations, but there’s a reason they’re undefeated.

“I certainly never expected an ‘0’ to last as long as it has,” Kelley said. ” I knew we’d be good, but stumbles are easy.

“Win, lose or draw, helluva season and these kids have done an awesome job,”

(Telegraph sports correspondent Dan Doyon contributed to this report.)