WEST VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A basketball mascot hit the court on Monday to make some slam dunks and to get students pumped up for ILEARN.

West Vigo Middle School welcomed the Indiana Pacers mascot, Boomer, to the school this afternoon. Boomer’s visit comes as the students prepare for the statewide test ILEARN.

6th-grade math teacher Elizabeth Hoesman says it’s just a way to have some extra fun and get students ready for ILEARN.

“It is just important to take away the stress from the ILEARN test. They know, the kids know, we’re preparing for this test. It always happens at the end of each year and it’s just a chance to have some fun with it, you know, that it doesn’t have to be hardcore. We want to be able to reward their hard work and what better way than to invite Boomer here and just have some fun with it,” said Hoesman.

Boomer’s visit also comes ahead of spring break as Vigo County schools will be on spring break starting next week.