Globetrotters dribble into Maine

The Harlem Globetrotters will bring their 75th anniversary tour to the Cumberland County Civic Center at 8 p.m. Sunday, March 25.

Since they first took to the court in 1926, the Globetrotters have delighted more than 120 million fans in 115 countries during the past 75 years. Through games of Feb. 28, 2001, the team’s overall record is 20,459 wins and 333 losses with a consecutive win streak of 191 games.

Expert comedy, amazing ball handling and slam-dunks, high-tech special effects and an appearance by team mascot Globie are all part of the two-hour show. Featured in this year’s tour are the antics of

Guinness World Record Holder Michael “Wild Thing” Wilson, showman Matt “Showbiz” Jackson, Paul “Showtime” Gaffney and dribbling sensation Curley “Boo” Johnson.

Days after the Portland stop, the team will play a collection of the top college seniors at the NABC Roundball Challenge. The game takes place March 30 during Final Four Weekend of the NCAA men’s basketball championship at Minneapolis’ Target Center.

During halftime, Wilson once again will try to break the world record he set during last year’s contest with a 12-foot vertical dunk. This time around he won’t be alone. The 6-foot-6 forward will be joined by the top leapers from the collegiate level in a high-jump dunking elimination contest, where a new record could once again be set.

Last year, the Globetrotters celebrated its first-ever Final Four Weekend appearance with an 82-80 victory over the NABC College All-Stars at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis behind 24 points from the game’s Most Valuable Player Johnny “Ace” Rhodes. The College All-Stars, coached by Connecticut’s Jim Calhoun, were led by University of San Francisco center Kenyon Jones’ 13 points.

Earlier this season, the Globetrotters defeated Purdue and NCAA Division II defending champion Metro State College of Denver, while current NCAA champion Michigan State was able to end the Globetrotters’ 1,270-game winning streak. Overall, the Globetrotters own a 153-66 record against college all-star competition.

Tickets for the Portland show are available at the Civic Center box office and all Ticketmaster locations. They can also be ordered by phone at 775-3458 or 775-333, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Service charges apply on all phone orders, outlet and online sales.