HERMANSVILLE — The 83rd Gold Medal Classic independent basketball tournament kicked off Thursday night with four games, with another four scheduled for this evening. A total of 57 teams are entered into this year’s tournament field, which is up from recent years according to tournament director Bryan Maule.

“Keys to the growth have been the rising interest in the woman’s division. Plus, the resurrection of our junior high divisions,” said Maule, who runs the tournament with his father Bob Maule of Hermansville.

“Having Bay College restart their athletic program has put a lot of talent close to the tournament,” Maule added. “Classes A-D will be highly competitive. All in all, this year’s tournament is shaping up to be a great event.”

Class A, which has a five-team field with a double-elimination format for this year’s tournament, will tip off at noon Saturday, concluding Sunday evening with a winner take all championship game at 6 p.m.

There will also be two four-team round-robin format Junior High divisions held over Saturday and Sunday. The girls division will have teams from North Central, Carney-Nadeau — sponsored by Shelby’s Quick Mart of Carney, Sault Ste. Marie and also Newberry and be held on Saturday.

The boys will be held on Sunday and will have teams from North Central — sponsored by Brad’s Auto of Spalding — McNeil Oilers, Sault Ste. Marie and Newberry.

Three-time defending Gold Medals Class A champions, 2018, 2019, 2021 — the 2020 tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic — Dexters Bar of Menominee will open up Class A versus U.P.’s Finest of Hancock. The Tavern Keepers feature former Michigan Tech Men’s Basketball standouts Austin Argma and Kyle Monroe.

U.P.’s Finest is a host of former Finlandia University Men’s Basketball players.

At 3 p.m., Class A will continue with Bimbo’s Wine Press of Iron Mountain taking on Juice Promotions of Carney. The Carney squad will have former Carney-Nadeau and Northern Michigan University standout Jared Benson at center.

Juice will feature the return of former tournament MVP, and professional player overseas, Jason Boucher of Menominee. Boucher hasn’t played in the tournament since 2019, stated Maule.

The Wine Makers roster features former Iron Mountain High School standout Marcus Johnson, as well as a pair of his former Bay College teammates Matt Wagner and Ishpeming High School graduate Dondre Yohe. Current Olivet College player Ryan Robinette will also play for Bimbo’s.

Tournament mainstays the McNeil Oilers of Crystal Falls will play the winner of Saturday’s noon game, at 7 p.m. The long-awaited return to the Gold Medals of North Central and Michigan Tech basketball standout Dawson Bilski is expected for the Oilers.

Bilski played for the Oilers with former NC teammate Jason Whitens in the 2017 tournament. Bilski went on to become a 1000 point scorer at MTU after breaking the same mark during North Central’s three consecutive MHSAA Class D boys basketball state championships from 2015-2017.

Joining Bilski on McNeil’s roster is his older brother and fellow North Central alumnus and 1000 point scorer, Bryce Bilski. Former Forest Park and Michigan Tech football standout Bryan LaChapelle Jr. of Crystal Falls will also play for McNeil’s as well as sharp shooting Adam Nolde from Menominee.