In Pictures: Highlights and scores from latest Hamady Hawks vs. Beecher Buccaneers game

Mount Morris, Michigan — Inside the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse, rival teams, Hamady Hawks and Beecher Buccaneers, met again for a second time this season. The last time both varsity boys' basketball teams went head-to-head, Hamady was defeated 80-71.

During Saturday's game (Feb.18), it was the home team that took away a second win in front of an energetic and supportive crowd in a tournament-like atmosphere.

In the first half, Hamady came out strong, scoring 16 points to Beecher’s 11 in the first period. The second half wrapped up tied 24-24, leaving fans hanging on the edges of their seats. The third period was a tight struggle with each team fighting for the lead.

Beecher varsity boys hold their firsts together after the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43 (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Hamady scored five in the third and Beecher pulled ahead with seven. The final score 48-43 ended the game with a Beecher victory.

Beecher senior Kevin Tiggs Jr. led the Bucs with nine rebounds and 15 points, followed by Bucs junior Keyonta Menefield Jr. with 10 points, two assists, and one rebound. Senior Robert Lee Jr. made his mark during the game with five assists, five rebounds, and eight points. 

Beecher fans cheer for their team during the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43 (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Beecher Head Coach Marquise Gray acknowledged the depth of his team and the ability of each player to have big moments as a testament to the work each of the players put in daily. 

“Every day in practice, I’m trying to build confidence in those guys to see what they’re capable of,” said Gray. Beecher boys varsity is currently 8-0 in their league and 14-3 overall this season. 

Beecher Head Coach Marquise Gray calls out to his team during the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43 (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) The girls' varsity basketball game was a nail-biter as well. At the end of the first half, the Hawks led 13-0. Beecher girls came back in the third leading with 14 points but in the end, the Hawks pulled into the lead and defeated the Buccaneers 49-45.

Beecher senior Amiyah Brown fights through the defense during the girls' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Hamady defeated Beecher girls 49-45 (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Both games ended with each school taking home a victory and inspiration to fight through the next eight games before the playoffs. 

“I have known all of them [Hawks and Bucs players] since they were babies,” said Gray. “They’re my boys. And those guys grew up playing AAU together, so they’re like brothers. Lamont [Hamady varsity boys head coach], him and I have been playing with and against each other since I was like 15, 16 years old. It’s like one big family, except for when we play.”

Beecher senior Kevin Tiggs Jr shoots a basket during the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43 (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Scroll below to see more photos from both games:

Beecher sophomore Zaire Taylor drives past half-court during the girls' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Hamady defeated Beecher girls 49-45 (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Hamady player Shaniyah Boyland looks to make a play during the girls' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Hamady defeated Beecher girls 49-45 (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Beecher senior Amiyah Brown gets ready to make a free throw during the girls' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Hamady defeated Beecher girls 49-45 (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Hamady player Mahriya Sharp drives to the basket during the girls' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Hamady defeated Beecher girls 49-45. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Beecher girls varsity Head Coach Spencer Eason calls out to his team during the girls' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Hamady defeated Beecher girls 49-45. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)
Hamady cheerleaders welcomed Hamady boys varsity to the court during the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)
Jaylen Townsend hits the ball for tip-off during the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43 (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Hamady player Jakobie Boose drives the ball during the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Hamady player Sean Byrd looks to make a pass under pressure from Beecher seniors Kevin Tiggs Jr. and Robert Lee Jr. during the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43 (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Hamady player Amari’Yunn Blythe claps after scoring a field goal during the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Hamady Head Coach Lamont Torbert calls out to his defense during the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Hamady player Lamont Green -Torbert drives the ball during the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Hawks Amari’Yunn Blythe drives to the basket during the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Beecher senior Robert Lee Jr. looks to make a pass during the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43 (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Beecher junior Keyonta Menefield drives to the basket during the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Beecher senior Jacoby Holliday Jr. makes his way past Hamady's defense during the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Hamady cheerleaders call out to their team during the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Beecher senior Robert Lee Jr. looks to make a play during the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Beecher coaches meet together before entering the locker room during the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Beecher varsity players listen to Head Coach Marquise Gray during half-time at the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Beecher Head Coach Marquise Gray talks to his team during half-time at the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)
Beecher senior Robert Lee Jr drives into the paint during the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Beecher senior Robert Lee Jr shoots under pressure during the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Hamady Head Coach Lamont Torbert talks to his team during a time out at the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Beecher varsity cheerleader stands on the sideline with a bright red bow during the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Beecher junior Damarcus Burke defends the basket during the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Beecher senior Jacoby Holliday Jr. keeps possession of the ball during the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Beecher Head Coach Marquise Gray hugs a Hamady assistant coach at the end of the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43 (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Beecher Head Coach Marquise Gray talks to the press after the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Beecher varsity basketball players listen to Head Coach Marquise Gray after the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside) Beecher Head Coach Marquise Gray talks to his team after the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Moses Lacey Fieldhouse in Mount Morris. Beecher defeated Hamady 48-43 (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

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