Michigan high school boys basketball: Beecher downs St. Francis in Division 3 final

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EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Flint Beecher Bucs (23-4) cruised past Traverse City St. Francis (24-4) to capture the Division III state championship, 64-50. The game was a rematch of 2012’s final, with Beecher winning both games.

Flint Beecher started the game by scoring eight unanswered points, highlighted by a dunk from senior guard Robert Lee Jr. Senior St. Francis guard Wyatt Nausadis ended the run with a jumper from the elbow area. Nausadis led his team with 20 points, and he was the main reason the Gladiators were able to stay in the game.

Beecher head coach Marquise Gray said St. Francis was a formidable opponent.

“Make no mistake, we didn’t let them do anything; that’s a good team,” Gray said. “[Nausadis] is a player, and he made plays for his team. He played his heart out. They came out and punched us in the mouth, and we didn’t respond right away.”

The game remained close until the third quarter when Beecher went on a 9-0 run in which it held St. Francis off the scoreboard for five minutes. Beecher would never relinquish its lead again on the way to the win. Lee scored seven of his team’s nine points in the run, and he was sensational all night.

Lee had a game-high 29 points Saturday, shooting 63 percent from the field. Every time the Bucs needed some points, the ball ended up in Lee’s hands, and he delivered.

Lee said he’s a much different player than he used to be.

“A lot of times I used to take plays off,” Lee said. “(This year) I just wanted to be a part of the team and play my hardest instead of playing and not thinking I gave it my all. Today I gave it my all, and I’m satisfied.”

Gray, a Flint native, was an All-American and member of the 2003 state runner-up team at Beecher. Gray spoke on how it feels to succeed at his alma mater.

“I know what it means to walk that neighborhood, to go to that school and to walk those hallways,” Gray said. “To be in the position that I am, and to be able to be a part of the rich tradition, I really don’t have any words for it. I’m really grateful.” 

Here is our photo gallery from the game:

Beecher vs. St. Francis in MHSAA Division 3 title game

Photos by Katy Kildee