A year after heartbreak at the Breslin Center, the seniors for the Riverview Gabriel Richard boys basketball team returned on Saturday and left no doubt in claiming the MHSAA Division 3 title.

The third game of the day’s festivities was the Division 3 state title between No. 1-ranked Riverview Gabriel Richard and No. 8-ranked A&T Academy of Pontiac, each of whom were making their first-ever state finals appearance.

LocalSportsJournal.com Winning the first one is the toughest. Riverview Gabriel Richard knew going into Saturday's Division 3 state finals that winning its first-ever state title was not going to be easy.

"Last year, I remember saying 'I can't believe this, I can't believe this' in the locker room but not for a good reason," senior guard Luke Westerdale said. "And this year I was saying it for the best reason.

Playing in its first state championship, Arts & Technology Academy of Pontiac struggled to knock down shots and was defeated 79-63 by Riverview Gabriel Richard for the D3 title Saturday

After cruising to a victory in their state quarterfinal round game earlier in the week on Tuesday, the Riverview Gabriel Richard boys’ basketball team made its second straight Division 3 state semifinals appearance on Thursday at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

Luke Westerdale and running mate Nick Sobush each scored 22 points to lead Riverview Richard to a 66-45 victory over Pewamo-Westphalia on Thursday.