South Portland High’s John Wassenbergh, left, and Jeff Hogan cut down the net following the team’s five-overtime win over Bangor in the Class A boys’ basketball state championship game on March 14, 1992. John Ewing/Staff file photo
The storied 1992 South Portland boys’ basketball team finally has some championship company.
For three decades, when members of that team rehashed their unforgettable title game victory, they were well aware that they remained the most recent champions in the annals of one of the state’s most decorated programs. That game, on March 14, 1992, was one of the most legendary in Maine high school basketball history – an 81-79 win over Bangor in five overtimes.
But last weekend, the Red Riots finally won another Gold Ball. The 2021-22 Red Riots, led by 6-foot-11 junior JP Estrella, stellar junior point guard Jaelen Jackson and do-everything senior Owen Maloney, beat Oxford Hills, 58-44, in the title game of the Class AA state tournament.
No overtime was necessary. And the stars of 30 years ago paid notice.
“I’ve tried to make other state games in the past, especially the 20th and 25th anniversary games. Considering the impact it had on my life, I always felt it was where I belonged that given night,” said John Wassenbergh, the leading scorer in the 1992 state final with 43 points, who now resides on New York’s Long Island.
“Knowing it was the 30th anniversary this year and South Portland was playing, I was not going to miss it. For me, the win was the cherry on top.”
Wassenbergh and Bert Rich, the unlikely hero of the 1992 state final, were well known to this year’s squad. Rich came off the bench after star point guard Chris Keene fouled out and made a couple of clutch 3-pointers to rally the Red Riots from a 12-point deficit with less three minutes remaining in regulation.
“Wass and Bert Rich did separate Zoom calls with the team during the pandemic,” said current South Portland Coach Kevin Millington, who was a senior captain on the 1990-91 team, the year before the title. “I heard from Wass and Bert and Chris regularly during the season.”
South Portland’s Gabe Galarraga, right, and Jaelen Jackson celebrate the Red Riots’ win against Oxford Hills in the Class AA boys’ basketball state championship game on March 5. Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer
And members of the 1992 team were well aware of this year’s squad.
“I went to YouTube to check out (Estrella’s highlights),” said Rich, who now lives near Tampa, Florida. “This year’s team looked solid.”
Keene, who now has a son in the South Portland program, liked what he saw all season.
“I was really excited for this year’s team,” Keene said. “They faced some high expectations all year just like we did in ’92. I saw a lot of us in them, especially with the younger kids. That (1992) game is a common topic in our household. Having coached (my son’s) youth teams throughout the years, that game has come up in team meetings before.”
South Portland has a rich basketball history. The school won the state’s first high school championship in 1922 and now has won 12 boys’ basketball titles overall.
As was the case in 1991-92, this year’s Red Riots team wore the bull’s-eye and wore it well, losing just once during the regular season before rolling through the Class AA South regional.
Heading into the championship game, Millington didn’t lack for encouragement.
“It felt like those (1992) guys wanted it, too, “Millington said. “I’d get texts like, ‘You’ve got this!’ and ‘It’s been too long!’ They were words of inspiration and it meant a lot to have their support.”
South Portland’s Owen Maloney takes a shot while being guarded by Oxford Hills’ Teigan Pelletier in the Class AA title game. “Living in SoPo my whole life and being around South Portland basketball, it’s great to finally bring it home after 30 years,” Maloney says. Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer
After South Portland beat Oxford Hills to end the drought, Maloney, the latest in a litany of players who grew up dreaming of leading the Red Riots to a championship, spoke of how the 1992 team resonated with the current group.
“It’s a dream come true,” said Maloney. “Tears of joy to finally do this. Living in SoPo my whole life and being around South Portland basketball, it’s great to finally bring it home after 30 years.”
“Owen was on a mission,” said Millington. “All he wanted this year was to experience the joy of winning a state championship. These guys just wanted to be part of the South Portland basketball legacy.”
Even though Millington wasn’t on the roster for the 1992 championship, he’s the most obvious link between the champions then and now.
“Kevin Millington was kind of a big brother to me and my brother growing up when we played sports,” Rich said. “To have him coach this year’s team was just perfect.”
“I’m so happy for the boys and their families,” Keene added. “Happy for Coach ‘Milli,’ who I played with, and happy for the South Portland community who had to wait 30 years, but never stopped rooting for their favorite team. We have the best fan support around.”
South Portland’s John Wassenbergh scored 43 points in the 1992 state title game. “I couldn’t be happier for this year’s team, and to be connected on the 30th anniversary is a bond we will always have,” he says. John Ewing/Staff file photo
Wassenbergh, who came to South Portland as a senior from New York, became the team’s leading scorer before starring at St. Joseph’s College and playing professionally. He said his connection with the current team included Millington, but went even deeper.
“I know Coach Millington well and I know how important it was for him to bring a championship back to South Portland,” Wassenbergh said. “He did a great job and the team should be proud. John Maloney (Owen Maloney’s father) and I both played at St. Joe’s, so I had the pleasure of speaking with Owen over the years. It was satisfying to see his dedication rewarded and I know it was important for him to have played as well as he did. It’s not easy to win a Gold Ball and I’m sure it is something he will cherish. I wish him the best in his college career.”
Tony DiBiase was the coach of the 1992 team. At 68, he still works at South Portland High and coaches freshman boys’ basketball at Cheverus.
“Kevin was my first captain when I came to South Portland, then he was my freshman coach, so we’ve been close for a long time,” DiBiase said. “I was happy to see (the team) do well this year.”
With Estrella and Jackson returning next winter and basketball fever running hot in the city, the program likely won’t have to wait decades for the next champion.
But there will never be another team like 2022.
Just like there’s never been a group like the heroes of 1992.
“I take great pride in what we were able to accomplish in 1992 and the rich basketball tradition at South Portland,” Wassenbergh said. “We beat a lot of good teams from all over New England and New York that year. Going undefeated and winning in five overtimes vs. Bangor will always be special.
“However, I couldn’t be happier for this year’s team, and to be connected on the 30th anniversary is a bond we will always have. This year is about them and their accomplishments, but it’s nice 30 years later to still be in the mix.”
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