By John Vrancic

jvrancic@dailypress.net

HERMANSVILLE — Menominee Dexter’s took care of business from the free throw line at crunch time here Sunday, edging Carney Juiced Apparel 99-93 in an overtime thriller for the Class A men’s title in the 81st Annual Gold Medal Basketball tournament.

Dexter’s secured the decision by hitting 6-of-8 gifters in the final minute of overtime.

“It was a very tight, physical and high-paced game,” said 2014 Michigan Tech graduate and NCAA Division 2 All-American Austin Armga, who poured in 41 points for Dexter’s. “The free throws were really huge. We wanted to be in control of the game in the last two minutes and I think the whole team stepped up.”

Menominee and Grand Valley State graduate Jason Boucher paced Juiced Apparel with 33 points.

“You can never let up against them,” said Armga, who hails from Waupun, Wis. “Juice has a lot of good shooters. They’re never out of a game. It feels great to get a group of guys together for a weekend and do what we love most, play basketball. Eighty-one years, that’s a great accomplishment. This is a well-run tournament. They do an awesome job.”

Armga led Dexter’s with 26 points in an earlier 77-67 triumph over Crystal Falls McNeil’s Oilers. Kurt Lehman scored 18 for McNeil’s.

Joe Pontbriand and Boucher, the Class A MVP, hit 16 points apiece to lead Juiced Apparel past McNeil’s 80-68. Bryce Bilski and Lehman scored 19 each for the Oilers.

Dexter’s, behind Armga’s 32 points, also beat Juiced Apparel 80-70 Saturday. Boucher led Juiced Apparel with 21.

Erik Peterson’s 20 points paced McNeil’s past Wallace Jim’s Plumbing 80-55. Tony Gromolo hit 13 for Jim’s.

Pontbriand tossed in 39 points in Juiced Apparel’s 91-71 victory over Felch Solberg’s Supper Club. Joe Simon had 16 for Solberg’s.

Class EE MVP, Northern Michigan University recruit and Gladstone senior Reece Castor hit 15 points, leading Carney “D” Rejects in a 63-52 triumph over the North Central Jets Seniors and Alumni in Sunday’s title game. Griffin Johnson scored 20 for the Jets.

Castor’s 13 points helped the Rejects defeat Jim’s 94-74 Saturday. Jake Herres hit 16 for Jim’s.

MVP Josh Granquist’s 26 points helped Hermansville Wildwood Restaurant post a 71-64 triumph over Carney Juice Promotions for the Class E title. Jake Brock had 17 for Carney.

Mike Polfus hit 18 points in Juice Promotion’s 74-52 conquest of Solberg’s Saturday. Eric Schemel scored 14 for Solberg’s.

Granquist collected 34 points as Wildwood turned back the Dickinson County Independents 85-69. Taylor Huotari paced the Independents with 18.

In Friday’s Class D final, Kyle Johnson’s 24 points helped Iron Mountain Dave’s Auto slip past Carney Juice Promotions 76-72. Bay College freshman Logan Hardwick was selected MVP.