Front Row L to R: Trini Ruiz (14), Captain Ben Rishwain (20), Matt Wallace (21),
Mgr. Edwin Maguire, Chris Rishwain (22), Kevin Hanson (25), Aaron Misasi (12)
Back Row L to R: Coach Ken Green, Albert Garibaldi (10), John Kesselman (15),
Captain Jason Wilcox (24), Glenn Griffin (33), Randy Cesena (30), Greg Osborn (32),
Fred Jones (11), Coach Jon Gustorf
(not pictured: Wayne Judge, Assistant Coach, Gary Mancebo, Assistant Coach)
The 1988-1989 St. Mary’s High School Boys’ Basketball Team finished with a
33-1 season record. This gang will go down in history as the greatest St. Mary’s High School
team ever assembled. When St. Mary’s in the early season was racking up impressive
wins over Bay Area teams, the fans (local and northern California) came to realize that
history was in the making.
What started out as a classic duel between David and Goliath, merged into a team that
proved its superior combination of talent, unique chemistry, and flawless coaching.
Game after game, tournament after tournament, one by one, the mighty fell to the
overpowering Rams. They played against St. Joseph’s of Alameda at the UOP Spanos Center.
Over 5,000 people attended a very exciting game. St. Mary’s lost a hard-fought battle
(their only loss). Jason Kidd, who later became a professional basketball player and coach,
was on the St. Joseph’s team.
Over the majority of the season, the Rams were ranked #1 in northern California and
#3 statewide. St. Mary’s won the section title at the Arco Arena when they beat
Fairfield High School. That gave Coach Jon Gustorf his third section title.
The 1988-1989 Rams will forever be remembered, not only for their record, but for the
unique way they captured the hearts and minds of not only the student body but the
community as a whole.
