(LaPorte, IN) - It was an eventful night at LaPorte's Slicer Gym Friday. The boys' basketball team hosted Crown Point. The Slicers got bit by the Bulldogs, losing 66-51. However, the highlight of the evening was the induction of four former Slicer athletes into the Norman J. Hubner Athletic Hall of Fame.

 

This year's honorees were Brian "Chico" Lipscomb, Laurel Mueller, Eric Orme, and Peggy Johnson-Portelli.

 

Johnson-Portelli overcame Type I diabetes to earn 10 varsity letters and many accolades in volleyball, basketball, and softball.

 

Eric Orme excelled at tennis, never losing a match or a set in sectional or conference play. He was also co-captain of a sectional-winning basketball team.

 

Laurel Mueller was one of the first female Slicer athletes in the Title IX era. She was a state champion swimmer. She and her father Edwin Mueller are the only father-daughter combo in the Hubner Hall of Fame.

 

"Chico" Lipscomb was the top rebounder on a state-ranked basketball team that put up a record-setting 117 points on Michigan City Marquette. But Lipscomb was better known as a baseball star. He went on to sign with the Pittsburg Pirates.

 

Also honored at halftime of Friday night's game was the 1997 Final Four Slicer boys' basketball team.