EXETER — Nine years ago, John Mulvey walked off the basketball court at the University of New Hampshire on a cloud.
Mulvey had just scored the final 26 points of his record-setting Portsmouth High School career, ending his days as both the leading scorer in school history and a state champion, after the Clippers beat Pelham, 61-48, to win the Division II title.
The stakes weren’t quite as high Tuesday, but Cody Graham walked off the court with a similarly great feeling.
Graham scored 18 points in the Clippers’ 64-62, double-overtime win over Exeter, a huge midseason result for his team that moved them past the Blue Hawks in the standings and him past Mulvey (1,299 points) on the all-time scoring list.
His 1,311 points (and counting) are the most ever at Portsmouth, which has been fielding good basketball teams for the better part of a century.
“It’s cool,” said Mulvey, currently an assistant coach on the team run by his father, Jim. “It’s fun to see the record get broken by someone who I’ve become really close with. He’s a great basketball player and a better person. … Records are made to be broken.”
In front of a big crowd that included two hefty student sections, Graham passed Mulvey when he hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key late in the second quarter, during an 8-0 run that would deliver the Clippers a 28-20 halftime lead.
After a foul call at the other end, the game was stopped and the achievement was announced. Fans on both sides gave Graham a standing ovation.
“I heard from a bunch of kids at school all day so I knew (what I needed),” he said. “Getting the seventh point felt good. It felt good to get honored on the court. I want to thank Exeter, and everyone here for supporting me for these four years. … It was just an amazing feeling.”
Few athletes have left a legacy at Portsmouth like the one the 5-foot-11 Graham will leave. He’s been a starter on two state champion basketball teams (Division II as a sophomore, Division I last year) and a three-year starter at quarterback on the football team.
Among those in attendance Tuesday was football coach Brian Pafford. Three months ago, Graham wrapped up his football career as the leading passer in school history, despite missing the second half of his junior season with an injury.
“Congrats to Cody,” said Pafford on Twitter afterward. “How many times has this happened in high school in this country? I know of one.”
His value to the basketball team goes beyond his 1,311 points.
“He’s been really clutch for us for four years,” said Jim Mulvey. “He has no fear; he plays the game the right way. He’s a gamer.”
“I grew up with the kid and have known him since I was 3 years old,” said teammate Mike Sanborn. “To see him do and accomplish these things is just beyond me. I’m so happy for him.”
A shooting guard on the Clippers’ last two state championship teams, Graham has shifted to the point this year but kept on scoring, averaging 15 points a game but also dishing the ball to players like Alex Tavares, Sanborn and Calvin Hewett, who were all in double-figures against Exeter.
On a team that hasn’t developed much a bench, he rarely leaves the court. He was fighting fatigue at the end of Tuesday’s marathon, missing late shots in part because his legs were tiring under him.
“He’s got to bring up the ball, guard the other point guard and play the entire game,” said John Mulvey, a lanky shooting guard in his day who still looks like he could drop 30 on an opponent. “He’s our leader, our scorer, our passer. He’s had to do everything for us this year. He’s always done a lot but he’s had to take on more roles.
“It wears on you, but he plays his heart out. He played his heart out (Tuesday).”
Graham was one of the last players to leave the team’s meeting room and board the bus on Tuesday night. His team is now 10-2, and tied with Bedford and Winnacunnet atop the Division I standings. It hosts Londonderry (7-4) on Friday.
“It’s a fantastic feeling,” he said. “It’s a great milestone but this team, myself, we’re just looking forward to the next game. The end goal is to take home another championship.”
The last player to leave the room was John Mulvey, who passed his father on the way out.
“This guy, he’s the only sad guy here tonight,” joked Jim.
“I’m No. 2,” agreed John.
Mike Zhe is a Herald staff writer. He can be reached at mzhe@seacoastonline.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MikeZhe603.