HERMANSVILLE---A group of Michigan Tech University graduates won their third straight Class A championship Sunday night as the 84th annual Gold Medal Classic wrapped up in Hermansville. The men, playing on the Menominee-based Dexter's team, defeated the Crystal Falls-based McNeil Oilers, 68-56.
The Oilers team featured two NCAA-Division One players: Jason Whitens of Michigan State University and North Central High School, and Patrick Emilien of the University of Maryland.
But the Dexters team is full of guys who have played together forever, and they relied on their defense to break open a four-point game in the final five minutes, not allowing a single field goal along the way.
Offensively, Kyle Monroe led the way and was given the Joe Rodman Award for the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament. He was also given the Boucher Award with most points in the tournament. He had a total of 140 points in the Dexters' four games.
"This tournament is incredibly competitive," Monroe said. "It's competitive every year, but this year, there's some D-1 guys in the field, I know Northern (Michigan University) brought a team of all their ex-players. Platteville (Wisconsin) had a team. There's only six teams in Class A, but I think every single one of them was competitive. So, getting that third straight title feels really good for me."
They had to do it the hard way, after losing their first game in the tournament to fight through the loser's bracket. Monroe says the fact that he and his teammates have played with each other for so long, compared to other teams who are a mix-match of guys, was a key.
"Everyone knows how we run our system," he said. "We play, still alm0st as well (as in college), but we're not as in good of shape, so, you can see some lapses where we're not running around. But I think that our coaches up there did such a good job of instilling that system into us that it's just never going to leave."
Despite the loss, Whitens was thrilled to play in this old barn again. He posed for countless pictures with little kids all weekend long, and the three-time high school state champion says he was blessed to be a part of this event.
"Nothing better," Whitens said. "Coming home to Hermansville, playing in a tournament like this that is so longlasting, 84 years, it's so nostalgic. It was heartwarming to see a bunch of family and friends and get to play basketball. It's just a great time."
Whitens was given the George Maule Award for the most Outstanding Player in Class A.
Whitens says the walls and dark court in this old gym are special to him.
"I played here too many times to count. I mean, between open gyms, practices, coming here by myself just to shoot, working out when the high school was closed," Whitens said. "Watching my dad when he would play here. Shooting at halftime of games. It's just an amazing place."
Whitens brought along Emilien, who played togather at Western Michigan University. Whitens moved on to Michigan State, and Emilien moved on to Northwestern and then to Maryland. And this weekend, they played, together, in of all places, Hermansville, Michigan.
"It was amazing," Emilien said. "It was my first time up here in the U.P. Ever since I was at Western Michigan, I told W that I was gonna come up to this. I'm glad I was finally able to do it. They are the kindest people I've ever met. I love U.P.'ers. I could see myself living here. I mean, he (Whitens) got the farms, he'd probably find me somewhere!"
As far as Sunday night's game goes, it all came down to defense, especially in the fourth quarter, when the Tech boys did not allow a basket, only three free throws, over the final six minutes, 39 seconds of the game.
"That's hats-off to Carter Johnson," Monroe said. "The man is a fantastic defender. I know I always hated when he guarded me in pracfice. So, it's just nice to have him guard someone else for a change."
"Honestly, I'm an old man, I've got old legs," Emilien said with a laugh. "I wasn't prepared for four games in 48 hours. Next time, I guess I'll sleep more and drink more water."
Johnson was named the Defensive Player of the Tournament.
Other Class A awards went to: Gladstone graduate Reece Castor (Three's Company) for his 48 points in a game; Luke Gorzinski (Viau's) won the Sportsmanship Award; and Dave Parrett (Dry Kiln) won the Most Colorful Player award.
The Oilers team featured two NCAA-Division One players: Jason Whitens of Michigan State University and North Central High School, and Patrick Emilien of the University of Maryland.
Offensively, Kyle Monroe led the way and was given the Joe Rodman Award for the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament. He was also given the Boucher Award with most points in the tournament. He had a total of 140 points in the Dexters' four games.
"This tournament is incredibly competitive," Monroe said. "It's competitive every year, but this year, there's some D-1 guys in the field, I know Northern (Michigan University) brought a team of all their ex-players. Platteville (Wisconsin) had a team. There's only six teams in Class A, but I think every single one of them was competitive. So, getting that third straight title feels really good for me."
They had to do it the hard way, after losing their first game in the tournament to fight through the loser's bracket. Monroe says the fact that he and his teammates have played with each other for so long, compared to other teams who are a mix-match of guys, was a key.
Despite the loss, Whitens was thrilled to play in this old barn again. He posed for countless pictures with little kids all weekend long, and the three-time high school state champion says he was blessed to be a part of this event.
"Nothing better," Whitens said. "Coming home to Hermansville, playing in a tournament like this that is so longlasting, 84 years, it's so nostalgic. It was heartwarming to see a bunch of family and friends and get to play basketball. It's just a great time."
Whitens was given the George Maule Award for the most Outstanding Player in Class A.
Whitens says the walls and dark court in this old gym are special to him.
Whitens brought along Emilien, who played togather at Western Michigan University. Whitens moved on to Michigan State, and Emilien moved on to Northwestern and then to Maryland. And this weekend, they played, together, in of all places, Hermansville, Michigan.
"It was amazing," Emilien said. "It was my first time up here in the U.P. Ever since I was at Western Michigan, I told W that I was gonna come up to this. I'm glad I was finally able to do it. They are the kindest people I've ever met. I love U.P.'ers. I could see myself living here. I mean, he (Whitens) got the farms, he'd probably find me somewhere!"
As far as Sunday night's game goes, it all came down to defense, especially in the fourth quarter, when the Tech boys did not allow a basket, only three free throws, over the final six minutes, 39 seconds of the game.
"Honestly, I'm an old man, I've got old legs," Emilien said with a laugh. "I wasn't prepared for four games in 48 hours. Next time, I guess I'll sleep more and drink more water."
Johnson was named the Defensive Player of the Tournament.
Other Class A awards went to: Gladstone graduate Reece Castor (Three's Company) for his 48 points in a game; Luke Gorzinski (Viau's) won the Sportsmanship Award; and Dave Parrett (Dry Kiln) won the Most Colorful Player award.
CLASS C CHAMPIONSHIP
Iron Mountain Dave's Auto defeated Spaulding R Place, 93-73. Former Iron Mountain and Bay College player Marcus Johnson poured in 45 points in the victory. He was given the Donald Hill Outstanding Class C Player award for his efforts.
CLASS D CHAMPIONSHIP
Hermansville CTR 44 defeated Gladstone, 77-61. The Reno Fochesato Trophy for Most Oustanding Class D player went to Tyler Mercier of CTR 44.
CLASS E CHAMPSIONSHIP
Gladstone Morning Ballers beat the Stephenson Strollers, 52-38. John Davis of the Morning Ballers team won the John Bellefeuil Outstanding Class E Player Award.
CLASS EE CHAMPIONSHIP
Iron Mounatin Lindsley Construction defeated Stihl Saw Sales of Powers, 75-59. Jurgen Kleiman of Lindlsey construction won the Outstanding Class EE Player award.
JUNIOR HIGH CHAMPIONSHIPS
Boys: North Dickinson Nordics 51, Hermansville Moonlight Graphics 50
Girls: Niagara 35, Felch Anderson Forest Products 34
