(La Porte, IN) - La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody says high school hoops fans should gear up for the Region’s biggest sporting event this week,

 

The NIBC La Porte Invitational returns for its second consecutive year beginning Thursday and running through Saturday at the La Porte Civic Auditorium.

 

The three-day, nationally televised basketball invitational will feature 10 of the best high school programs in the nation, including La Lumiere.  La Lumiere School is located in the hills of northern La Porte County.  

 

The teams in the upcoming invitational have 30 of ESPN’s top-ranked college basketball recruits.

 

“These games were a hit last year and for good reason. I can’t think of another event that gives you the opportunity to see young talent of this caliber all in one place,” Dermody said.

 

Dermody said watching such talent at a historic venue like the near century old Civic Auditorium is the “icing on the cake.”

 

“This is how Hoosier basketball was meant to be played. If you missed it last year, we promise you won’t want to miss it this year,” he said.

 

As a bonus, Dermody said a 'battle of the states’ matchup has been added to this year’s schedule. Indiana 4A #3-ranked Indianapolis Cathedral will face off against Illinois 3A #1-ranked Chicago Simeon.

 

The games will once again be broadcast live on ESPN’s various networks, putting the Civic Auditorium and La Porte on the national stage.  A full game schedule and ticketing information is available online at laportecivicauditorium.com.