×

Dexter’s, Dave’s Auto repeat as Gold Medal champs

87th Gold Medal Classic outstanding player Kyle Monroe of Dexter's Bar of Menominee receives the trophy from longtime tournament official Bob Maule at the Frank Rodman Community Club in Hermansville. (Matt McCarthy photo)

HERMANSVILLE — Like all things, both good or bad, the 87th Gold Medal Classic Independent Basketball Tournament has come to an end. Throughout the 12-day tournament – which was interrupted for two days due to Blizzard Elsa on March 15 and 16 – some of the defending champions in their respective classes or divisions repeated, and some new champions were crowned.

Dexter’s of Menominee captured the Class A men’s title. It was their seventh championship in the last eight tournaments dating back to 2018 as the 2020 tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dexter’s defeated Contemporary Builders of Perronville 72-49 on Sunday evening.

Ashwaubenon, Wis., High School and Michigan Tech University alum Kyle Monroe led all scorers for Dexter’s with 35 points in the championship game. Monroe was also chosen as the Joe Rodman Award recipient as Outstanding Player in the Tournament.

Former Northern Michigan University standout and Whitefish Bay, Wis., native Isaiah Johnson netted 24 for Contemporary Builders, earning the George Maule Trophy as the Outstanding Player in Class A.

Also on Sunday in the Women’s Class A championship, Home Town Physical Therapy of Bark River overwhelmed Gen Z’s of Kingsford 60-28 to repeat as champions.

Gold Medal Class C MVP Kyle Johnson of Iron Mountain receives the Donald "Punky" Hill Trophy from tournament official Bob Maule. (Matt McCarthy photo)

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay recruit and Gladstone High School senior Lillie Johnson of Home Town was awarded the Elaina Maule Trophy as the Outstanding Player in the Women’s Division.

Davenport University cager and Menominee native Anna Axtell of Home Town led all scorers with 16 points, while Johnson chipped in 15.

Class C also wrapped up on Sunday, as Dave’s Auto of Iron Mountain defeated Lee’s Greenery of Powers 81-70 to reign in the division for the fourth consecutive year.

Iron Mountain High School varsity boys basketball head coach Kyle Johnson drained 20 points for Dave’s in earning the Donald “Punky” Hill Award as the Outstanding Player in Class C.

Menominee High School senior and football and basketball standout Tanner Theuerkauf poured in a game-high 23 points for Lee’s, which was a team completely made up of players from various U.P. high schools.

Theuerkauf, a prospective 2025-26 Division 1-3 player of the year candidate at Monday’s Upper Peninsula Sportswriters and Sportscasters All-U.P. selection meeting, will play football at NMU beginning this fall, joining his brother Trevor. Ethan Marta, a Westwood High School standout, Michigan Tech signee and also a prospective 2025-26 Division 1-3 player of the year candidate, also played for Lee’s.

One other championship was determined on Sunday — the Class B Women’s title was won by Believe Nutrition of Green Bay, Wis., defeating Viau Architects and Builders of Powers, 69-52.

Lindsey Blackowl of Believe Nutrition netted a game-high 27 points. Ironwood High School alum Hannah Vaughn led Viau with 19 points while Carney-Nadeau graduate Grace Maule added 17 points. Bethany Baldwin of Believe Nutrition was named Class B Women’s MVP.

In unusual fashion, the men’s Class B bracket was unable to be played out to completion for logistical reasons, due to the blizzard. The winner and runner-up of Class B was determined by the games that were completed on March 14.

Team Elevated of Menominee was named champions, and Bimbo’s Wine Press of Iron Mountain was named runner-up as both teams sported undefeated records in the seven-team bracket going into what was scheduled to be the final day of Class B competition on March 15.

Former Sioux Falls Skyforce draft pick of the former NBA D-League, Anthony Moody of Team Elevated was awarded the Frank Rodman Trophy as the Outstanding Player in Class B.

The Class D championship went to LL3J of Carney, as they defeated Dubois Tree Farm of Powers, 69-55 in Monday’s title game. Reece Castor canned a game-high 22 points for LL3J. Castor was named Class D MVP and awarded the Reno Fochesato Trophy.

Class EE was won by Shelby’s Quick Mart of Carney, as they defeated Sidetrack Bar of Powers, 65-56, also on Monday night. Cody Gholdi of Shelby’s led all scorers with 21 points, and was awarded the Mike Strohl Trophy as the Outstanding Player in Class EE.

The final game of the tournament Tuesday night was the Class E final, where the Morning Ballers of Gladstone defeated Advanta Print of Iron Mountain, 81-74.

Sam Mulner of the Morning Ballers was awarded the John Bellefeuil Trophy as Class E MVP.

The Junior High Girls division was completed March 13 and 14 with Sault Ste. Marie coming in first place in the round-robin format, with Carney as runner-up.

The Junior High Boys division was completed Tuesday night after starting March 13. Got Milk of Daggett took home first place and Zawada Farms of Bark River was runner-up.

Starting at $3.50/week.

Subscribe Today