BREINIGSVILLE — Time and distance haven’t dulled the memories for Tom Kresge.

The sights and sounds of packed gyms, the echo of bouncing basketballs, and the roar that followed his game-winning layup at Stabler Arena in 1987 — they’ve never really faded.

Nearly four decades later, the former Lehighton standout reflected on those moments ahead of his induction into the District 11 Hall of Fame on Sunday evening at the Delta Hotel in Breinigsville.

“It’s a tremendous honor,” Kresge said. “When you get later in life, you forget about some of the things you did. This takes you back. I was texting a bunch of teammates this morning, talking about old memories and how thankful we were to grow up in a small, safe town where everybody knew each other.

“The fact that we were able to do something special together — that’s what really stands out.”

A 1987 Lehighton graduate, Kresge scored 2,236 career points, averaging 21.6 per game, which ranked 16th in Pennsylvania history at the time. Kresge’s point total also came before the introduction of the 3-point line, making his accomplishments even more remarkable. He helped lead the Indians to Centennial League and District 11 Class 3A championships in 1987.

Few players in the region’s history have matched Kresge’s combination of scoring touch, leadership, and consistency. His name remains synonymous with excellence and a cornerstone of Lehighton basketball’s proudest era.

That championship run remains unforgettable.

On Tuesday, March 3, 1987, Kresge poured in 26 points to lead Lehighton past West Hazleton, 63-57, in the District 11 semifinals at Stabler Arena. The victory sent the Indians to their first district final in a decade and continued a postseason run that had the entire town buzzing. John Armbruster and Scott Kulp both posted double-doubles, and Lehighton’s balanced attack built a 12-point halftime lead before withstanding a late Wildcats rally.

Then came the game that cemented Kresge’s name in area basketball lore.

On Friday, March 6, 1987, facing Allentown Central Catholic in the Class 3A championship, Lehighton battled one of the state’s perennial powers in front of a packed crowd at Stabler. The teams traded leads throughout, with Kresge keeping the Indians within striking distance with a relentless scoring display.

In the final seconds, with the score tied, Armbruster came up with a midcourt steal and dished the ball to Kresge on the break. The senior guard drove to the rim and banked in the winning layup as time expired, sealing a 64-62 victory and igniting a celebration that spilled from the court to the streets of Lehighton.

Kresge finished with 42 points, scoring 20 of Lehighton’s final 22, an unforgettable performance that lifted the Indians to their first district title since the 1970s and remains one of the defining moments in D-11 basketball history.

“People always bring up that game, and I get it,” Kresge said with a smile. “It’s a great memory. But for me, it’s more about the journey — about growing up within a two-block radius with my best friends, and how we came together to do something big for a small town like Lehighton.”

He later played at Lafayette College, carrying with him the lessons of teamwork, humility, and perseverance that defined his high school career.

“I’m proud of the individual accomplishments,” he said. “But basketball is a team sport. Was I the leader? Sure. Did I score most of the points? Yeah — I took most of the shots. But you can’t win championships with one player. It takes a team, and this honor is for all of us.”

That sense of connection extended to his coaches. Kresge was presented for induction by Jeff Miller, who served as a volunteer assistant at Lehighton during Kresge’s sophomore and junior years and nearly stepped away before his senior season.

Kresge paused for a moment when reflecting on Miller’s influence.

“Jeff meant so much to us,” he said softly. “He filled that mentor role for me and for the other players. He was young, relatable, and cared about us beyond basketball. When he was going to stop coaching before my senior year, we actually tried to convince him to stay. I think it took three tries for him to go back to his wife and reconsider — and thankfully, he did. He made a huge difference for us.

“So when I found out I could ask someone to present the award, I knew it had to be him.”

Even now, the connection between the Millers and Lehighton basketball runs deep — Jeff serves as an assistant coach for the Indians, while his son, Trevor Miller, is the team’s head coach.

Long after the final buzzer of his high school career, basketball remained a constant — not just a memory, but a thread woven through his family.

Kresge and his wife, BettyAnne, have three children — Alyssa, Lauren and Ryan — each of whom found their own paths in the game.

“One of the best memories I’ll ever have is coaching all three of my kids and their friends,” he said. “Did I want them to learn the game and be good? Sure. But more than anything, I just had so much fun sharing my love of the game with them.”

His daughter Lauren played for the Nazareth girls basketball program, while Ryan also enjoyed success with the Nazareth boys team. His oldest daughter, Alyssa, who didn’t play in high school but was an accomplished athlete in her own right, later returned to the sport by joining a community league — and asked her dad to coach.

“That was awesome,” said Kresge, who manages sales teams globally. “It reminded me why I started coaching in the first place — because it’s fun, and because you get to pass on the same passion the game gave to you.”

Kresge said the lessons learned through basketball have always extended beyond the gym.

“I’ve said to my kids for years — in the game of life, you sprint through the finish,” he said. “There’s no finish line in basketball. Whether you’re winning or losing, you play through the final buzzer. I’ve really tried to instill that in them. Now they make fun of me and say it back, which is awesome.”

The District 11 Hall of Fame Class of 2025 featured 15 inductees representing a range of eras, sports, and accomplishments: Kresge, Joe Alansky, Bob Clark, Darian Cruz, Bob Hartman, Anita James, Gabe Lewullis, Jonathan Linton, Jim Morgans, Sheila O’Donnell, Martin Ondrovic, Kenneth Schneck, Jon Trenge, Kalista Walters, and Ruth Weidman.

For District 11, Kresge’s name has long been part of its basketball legacy. For Lehighton, it’s a reminder of a season — and a player — who showed what a small-town team could accomplish when everything came together.

“I don’t know how far this story will go, but to anybody in Lehighton who came out to support us during those cold winter nights — thank you,” Kresge said. “It meant a lot.

“I’m proud of everything I did,” he added. “But I’m even more proud of everything we did — as a team, as a community, and as a family. Lehighton will always be home. That’s where it all started.”