1984 Luther Lions are special guests for 70th edition of LIT

Ken Phillips has a rush of memories when he enters the old gymnasium at Luther College High School.

Phillips was part of the 1984 Luther Lions team that won the Luther Invitational Tournament high school basketball tournament in overtime against the LeBoldus Golden Suns.

“It brings back a lot of memories,” the former Lions point guard said. “It hasn’t changed a whole heck of a lot. It’s not quite as bright as I remember it being, but maybe my eyes are just not as strong as they used to be. I think we had more of those domes than the fluorescent lights back in those days.”

The ’84 Lions team is being recognized as this year’s special guests for the 70th edition of the LIT. The tournament started with games Thursday and boys and girls champions will be crowned on Saturday.

“It’s going to be interesting to connect with these guys (from the ’84 team) again. We’ve been having the odd Zoom call so we can actually recognize each other when we go to the airport because things have changed,” Phillips said.

“The idea sort of came to fruition last summer at some point. We thought it was going to be 40 years, Coach (Dick) Stark is still around – it would be nice to meet with him again — and would be nice to get the team together. We didn’t have any aspirations to be the special guests. That was something that came about unknown to us but it’s an honour.

“We found a nine-bedroom VRBO and we have a number of players who still have relatives they can stay with. It’s going to be good to connect with some of these people who we haven’t connected with in 40 years.”

The 1984 team was the first Lions team to win the tournament title since the inaugural event in 1953.

Bill Knudsen was a key member of the 1984 Luther Lions team. (Luther College/Submitted)

The ’84 final came down to the wire, with a long shot from Bill Knudsen needed as time expired to tie the game and send it to overtime.

“We were playing the clock and fouling quickly to try and get the ball back. LeBoldus had been taking the ball on the side all the time even though I think they were in the one-and-one so they could have shot the bonus but back in those days, you could elect (to do so),” Phillips recalled.

“It came down to the second-last inbounds — I managed to foul out of the game — and then they went to the sideline again to throw the ball in. Cam (Smith) tipped it away (and) Bill took one dribble and shot it. It was an interesting shot and it tied the game.

“My teammates managed to pull it out and it’s a great memory and it was an exciting time.”

The ’84 Lions are one of four Luther teams to win the tournament, joining the 1990 and 2006 teams.

“You grow up and you come to the school — most people come to the school in Grade 9 — and you see the tournament and you say, ‘Oh, that would be kind of cool to play in that one day,’ ” Phillips said. “Then you start to get involved in the committees and stuff throughout your time here and you see the efforts that are put in by the student body and the faculty and staff to make sure this thing goes.

“It’s a big undertaking and it’s a much bigger undertaking now than it was when we were involved.”

With 10 of the 12 members of the ’84 team expected to be in attendance, Phillips is looking forward to watching this year’s event.

“We’re going to enjoy the tournament. We’re going to watch a lot of games (and) we’re going to have some good camaraderie,” Phillips said.