HERMANSVILLE---The Gold Medal Basketball Classic began Friday night at the Memorial Gym in the Menominee County town of Hermansville. It is the nation's oldest, continuous, independent basketball tournament, dating back 78 years.
With the end of the Negaunee Invitational Tournament, this tournament becomes the biggest hoops event in the U.P., now that the high school seasons have come to an end.
"We were down a little bit on teams this year," Tournament Director Ray Bray said. "A lot of that is with this Easter Week. I'm sure. People are in Florida and all over the place vacationing."
"And North Central had a heck of a basketball run, so there's a few people who are pretty wore out. So, we're down, but we have some really good competition coming," Bray continued. "There's some really good players coming."
In Friday's tournament opener, the Hermansville Whitens Dry Kiln team rallied from eleven points down to beat Bark River Shades of Dudes, 50-41, in a Class EE contest. North Central state champion Morgan Cox had 20 points to lead all scorers.
"In that first game, it was a bit physical," Bray said, smiled. "But that's why they like coming here!"
In other games on Friday: In Class D, Stephenson Wangerin Logging defeated Hermansville CTR by a 67-64 score. Travis Champeau had 20 points to lead all scorers.
And in Class EE, Escanaba Cameron Crew beat Carney Anglers Edge, 75-70. Carney's Justin Ernest and Escanaba's Brian Haack each scored 17 points.
Bray says that there are more than 60 teams entered this year, with teams in both men's and women's divisions.
The Stephenson Strollers are back again...the only team to have entered all 78 Gold Medal Classics. Others who have been at numerous events include Kakuk's (Daggett), Thirsty Whale (Norway), Solberg's (Felch), and the McNeil Oilers (Crystal Falls).
A full slate of games are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, with championship games next weekend. We will keep you updated on the tournament throughout the week.
Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos and videos from Friday's tournament opener.
With the end of the Negaunee Invitational Tournament, this tournament becomes the biggest hoops event in the U.P., now that the high school seasons have come to an end.
"We were down a little bit on teams this year," Tournament Director Ray Bray said. "A lot of that is with this Easter Week. I'm sure. People are in Florida and all over the place vacationing."
In Friday's tournament opener, the Hermansville Whitens Dry Kiln team rallied from eleven points down to beat Bark River Shades of Dudes, 50-41, in a Class EE contest. North Central state champion Morgan Cox had 20 points to lead all scorers.
"In that first game, it was a bit physical," Bray said, smiled. "But that's why they like coming here!"
In other games on Friday: In Class D, Stephenson Wangerin Logging defeated Hermansville CTR by a 67-64 score. Travis Champeau had 20 points to lead all scorers.
And in Class EE, Escanaba Cameron Crew beat Carney Anglers Edge, 75-70. Carney's Justin Ernest and Escanaba's Brian Haack each scored 17 points.
Bray says that there are more than 60 teams entered this year, with teams in both men's and women's divisions.
The Stephenson Strollers are back again...the only team to have entered all 78 Gold Medal Classics. Others who have been at numerous events include Kakuk's (Daggett), Thirsty Whale (Norway), Solberg's (Felch), and the McNeil Oilers (Crystal Falls).
A full slate of games are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, with championship games next weekend. We will keep you updated on the tournament throughout the week.
Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos and videos from Friday's tournament opener.
