(LAPORTE, IN) - The La Porte High School boys’ basketball state championship run 25 years ago is generating more memories.

 

Mike Kellems was a La Porte County Sheriff’s Deputy who led the team on processions to games in his police vehicle throughout the tournament. He said he appreciated being part of the local fan base that showed tremendous support for the Slicers along the way.

 

“It was exciting. Everywhere we went there was a sea of orange and black.  It was a lot of fun,” Kellems said.

Kellems said he was given a piece of the net each time the Slicers cut down the net after winning the sectionals, regionals, and semi-state. He still has those keepsakes on his bedroom dresser as a reminder of what he described as a special time.

 

“They were kind enough to give me a piece of each net as we traveled along to the state finals,” Kellems said.

The Slicers lost the first game in the final-four round of the state finals in Indianapolis.

 

1997 was the last year all high school basketball teams played in one tournament in the state. Players were honored Friday at halftime during the game with Crown Point at Slicer Gym.