FLORENCE, Wis. — Florence’s bid for the 1987 Class C boys basketball state championship came up short in the semifinals.

But that trip proved valuable to the unbeaten squad two years later that won the state championship. The 1988 Bobcats bowed out one step before state in the sectional finals.

Elk Mound overcame 24 points from Tom Miller and 18 from Shawn Beaster to oust the Bobcats 66-59 in overtime of the 1987 state semifinals.

“I told Shawn Beaster running against the ’87 crew when we were sophomores had a lot to do with it (1989 state title),” said Paul Kreski, among the six players from the 1989 state title team who returned home for a recent reunion. “As jayvee players you play against guys like Shawn Beaster, Tom Miller and Brent Wolosyn every day in practice and they weren’t the nicest guys in practice. It helped us. I know it did.”

Head coach Bob Wolfe, junior varsity coach Dave LaPoint and manager Todd Rochon along with players Kreski, Luke Seggelink, Steve Wilcox, John Sleeter, Joe Kriegl and Paul Seggelink attended the ceremony.

The event began with the television broadcast of the 1989 Class C finals shown in the school lunchroom. The Bobcats rallied behind Steve Stamper’s 31 to down Glenwood City 60-54 for the championship.

“The ending was still pretty good,” said Kreski. noting his Bobcats didn’t play all that well. “We missed a lot of shots, missed a lot of opportunities, turned the ball over. Joe and Luke were in serious foul trouble.”

The Bobcats made comebacks in five straight tournament games including a triple overtime decision over Wausaukee.

“A lot of credit to that (Wausaukee) club,” Kreski said. “They could have did the same thing we did. They had a couple of great players. Teams like that really tested you.”

Speed and strength stood out for those 1989 Bobcats.

“In the championship game, the basketball skill kind of left us,” Kreski said. “But were still fast and we could jump and we could run. That was the most prominent. We could run.”

Wolfe was the “calming voice” on the Bobcats’ bench.

“Great guy who always had the right thing to say,” Kreski said. “Bob never got excited, never raised his voice other than maybe practice. He was pretty laid back.”

As for the chief memory from that special season, the return home won’t be forgotten.

“The parade coming back into town with the trophy was nice,” Kreski said.

The 1989 state championship team was honored prior to the varsity boys basketball game with Three Lakes.

Athletic Director Kris Johnson remembered that successful season for the state title and Luke Seggelink shattering a backboard during an open-gym session.

Joe Kriegl, the only junior starter on the 1989 team, made a few comments to the crowd.

“Lot of wonderful memories,” Kriegl said. “We were part of something special, a product of a great system with great teachers, coaches and administrators.

“That team competed unselfishly. We were worried more about the ‘W’ than who scored.”

Kriegl, a Kingsford teacher and coach, peeled off one shirt to show another with “Florence” emblazoned across the front.

“I’ll always bleed green,” Kriegl said.

A moment of silence was held for principal Jack Kriegl, Joe’s dad; Steve Stamper; and assistant coach “Big Bob” Constantini.

Coach Bryan Bomberg, who has this year’s Bobcats contending for the Northern Lakes Conference title, was two years old when the 1989 Bobcats ruled the state. He cited the “foundation” of Florence sports.

“We have so much to be thankful for and privileged to be apart of at Florence High School,” Bomberg said.