Assistant Coach South Carolina, Ron Everhart 80 Those explanations havent been conveyed, which frustrates some parents, who contend that handling a transition the way DeMatha did 20 years ago isnt acceptable. We dont have an opening in science. The move upset not just Smith but many of the programs parents, other alumni and other stakeholders, according to interviews with a dozen people in and around the storied basketball team. Its allowed me to walk around the last 19 years and pound my chest and be a proud DeMatha alum.. Most of the teams play in the WCAC and play other private schools in the Archdiocese of Washington and Virginia area, such as Gonzaga, Good Counsel, O'Connell, McNamara, and Ireton. The Howard University I rep DeMatha everywhere, Smith, who now works in insurance, said in a telephone interview, no longer believing that his love for the school is reciprocated. [4][6], UCLA basketball coach John Wooden (19102010) described his admiration for Wootten when he said, "I know of no finer coach at any level high school, college or pro. Steve Settles Private, college-prep school in Hyattsville, Maryland, United States, Single-gender schools in the Washington, DC area, Washington Metropolitan Area Catholic High Schools, Archdiocese of Washington Catholic Schools, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, 1976 gold medal winning United States Olympics team, Schools Recognized 1982-1983 Through 1999-2002, "DeMatha is much more than an 'athletic powerhouse' Streetcar Suburbs News", "DeMatha High Continues its Long Tradition", "Winningest prep basketball coach Wootten retires", "How outsider Justin Fairfax broke through the Democratic Party in bid for lieutenant governor", "Senate Tribute to David Schiappa, S.Res. Joshua Wilson (born March 11, 1985) is a former American football cornerback. After successful high school and college careers, DeMatha graduates often continue to play and coach at the highest levels. With :48 remaining, Mack knocked down a trey for the Cadets, and St. Johns led 63-62. According to a person in attendance, Strickland responded that he couldnt change the color of my skin and said his job was to meet them where they are.. He was named Coach of the year by the Washington Post in 2005 and served as a head coach at the prestigious Nike Hoop Summit in 2018. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball, "Morgan Wootten, winningest high school basketball coach, dies at 88", "Morgan Wootten, Acclaimed High School Basketball Coach, Dies at 88", "Letter to the editor: A legacy connecting UNC and Duke", "Morgan Wootten, Hall of Fame high school hoops coach, dies at 88", "Winningest prep basketball coach Wootten retires", "DeMatha Catholic basketball coach Morgan Wootten placed in home hospice care, school says", "Teacher FIrst, Seldom Second, Wootten Has Built Monument to Excellence at Maryland's DeMatha High", "The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame:: Morgan Wootten", "Morgan Wootten, legendary DeMatha basketball coach, dies at 88", "Faith came in first place for DeMatha's Hall of Fame Coach Morgan Wootten", "The Son Also Rises: The Story of the Woottens and Basketball", "Another memorable visit for the Woottens", "Morgan Wootten Film | The Godfather of Basketball", "A County in Maryland Produces a Wild Number of Basketball Stars. DeMatha Graduates who played in the NBA Players: John Auston '62 Baltimore Bullets Keith Bogans '99 Boston Celtics Adrian Branch '81 Minnesota Timberwolves Kenny Carr '74 Portland Trailblazers Sid Catlett '67 Cincinnati Royals Adrian Dantley '73 Milwaukee Bucks Danny Ferry '85 San Antonio Spurs Joseph Forte '99 Seattle Supersonics WCAC girls Player of the Year: McNamaras Madisen McDaniel. Chase Young, star defensive end for the Washington Football Team, is among many DeMatha graduates to reach the NFL. 30 for 30: Survive and Advance, Jonathon Hock, ESPN 2013, television. The Howard University [1][2][4][5], In 1956, Wootten was hired as a history teacher and the coach of the football and basketball teams at DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland. From Coaching Legends Morgan Wootten, Bill McGregor and Richard Messier to professional stars Adrian Dantley '73, Paul Rabil '04 and Chase Young '17, make your mark as the next big name in DeMatha Athletics. It wouldve been: Okay. . Jones estimates he has been offered at least one college opportunity in each of the past 15 years. With Mike departing this past offseason for Virginia Tech, new Head Coach Mike G. Jones III is ready to bring the Stags into the next era in this legendary program's history. Virginia Tech DeMatha was led by four seniors: All-Met Darin Campbell, who became a consensus all-America each of his three years at North Carolina and played professionally in the Gulf Coast League; pitcher. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. The Cadets football team trailed DeMatha 3-0 at halftime, but a 10-yard fourth quarter touchdown pass from Myles Slade to Asa Gregg proved to be the game winner, as the Cadets prevailed 7-3. The lady Cadets improved to 25-6 on the season - one year after defeating Bishop McNamara High School of Forestville, Maryland, for the 2021-22 title. Brey is a 1982 graduate of George Washington University. Ben Hammond got the ball to WCAC Player of the Year DeShawn Harris-Smith who heaved up an NBA trey attempt from approximately 35 feet away. Became a two-time All-America at Nebraska. Last week, after rumors surfaced that Virginia Tech was targeting Jones, the coach was bombarded with messages from Hokies fans urging him to join the program. Given the talent on its roster Tyrell Ward and Rodney Rice are two of the top-rated college prospects in the class of 2022, and Jacoi Hutchinson is a highly touted rising junior DeMatha also had to worry about other schools trying to lure players away amid uncertainty. The NFL expecting Snyder to stop lying, covering up, blocking and bullying is a little bit like expecting a poisonous cobra not to bite you. No point passing gun control if you don't prosecute gun crimes. (Photo by Larry French/St. Seattle Supersonics, Markelle Fultz 16 More than a dozen of Wootten's players went on to play in the NBA, including Adrian Dantley and Danny Ferry. Blakeney, who is Black, compares the transition to the one unfolding at his college alma mater, Duke, which announced a plan to have Jon Scheyer as coach-in-waiting for the retiring Hall of Fame legend, Mike Krzyzewski. The 1964-65 Stags varsity basketball team, led by a young coach named Morgan Wootten, upset the seemingly unbeatable Power Memorial (NY) and their senior center Lew Alcindor (later, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar). His teams have won national titles and several conference titles in that time span as they play in one of the most competitive conferences in the nation, the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. Rankings are compiled by DC News Now sports reporters Alex Flum and Jake Rohm. John Auston 62 But several said they feared that the hires signaled a reset intended to attract more White donors and to change the perception of a school that is located in predominantly Black Prince Georges County and has a student body that is 48 percent African American and about 65 percent non-White. I was having an identity crisis. We dont have an opening in math. Ive talked to 100 people and all 100 of them said this process was faulty. Five of Jones players are currently playing in the NBA, including Markelle Fultz, who was the top overall first round 2017 draft pick. He learned more from the losses than the wins. He and teammate Joe Forte, 2001 ACC player of year at North Carolina, led DeMatha to City Title as juniors. We had lot of balance, and we rebounded well. James Mason University (JMU), Elijah Hawkins They got less pay for better work. Read Sally Jenkins on the USWNT settlement with U.S. Soccer. We did not want the student-athletes to feel as if theyre being abandoned. Morgan Bayard Wootten (April 21, 1931 - January 21, 2020) was an American high school basketball coach for 46 seasons at DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland. The United States Department of Education recognized DeMatha as a Blue Ribbon School in 1984 and 1991. The same can be said for Springs Valley High School in Indiana, which was one and done with Larry Bird. Most of the teams play in the WCAC and play other private schools in the Archdiocese of Washington and Virginia area, such as Gonzaga, Good Counsel, O'Connell, McNamara, and Ireton. DeMatha coaches also holdsummer campsfor young athletes of all ages and coaching clinics throughout the year to share their successful techniques. Basketball player, Coach Age: 68 Birthplace: Washington, D.C. Adrian Delano Dantley (born February 28, 1956) is an American retired basketball player who played 15 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Led by star player John Austin, the basketball team won its first conference title in 1961 and the national high school championship in 1962. University of Connecticut (UConn) DeMatha means everything to me, Jones said. DeMatha is home to 13 varsity sports, as well as junior varsity and freshman teams. Back to basketball: In the WCAC girls quarter-finals, St. Johns defeated Elizabeth Seton, 65-44; Paul VI defeated Bishop Ireton, 47-44; top-ranked Bishop McNamara defeated Archbishop Carroll, 67-33; and Our Lady of Good Counsel defeated St. Marys Ryken, 72-49. Then, with merely two seconds remaining, the Panthers inbounded again from 70 feet away. On top of being one of the best basketball teams in the Washington, DC area, the school has won six national championships and 41 WCAC Championships. [20], In 2017, the documentary film Morgan Wootten: The Godfather of Basketball was released. It was the first day of the second weekend for DMV Live at DeMatha, one of two local summer basketball events meant to showcase players to college recruiters. I love them so much, and I love DeMatha so much. Head Coach Lake Oswego HS (OR), Perry Clark 70 Williams was a shooting guard much like Maurice, a dive-on-the-ball player known for his defense. Mike Jones and his DeMatha Squads won an impressive 500 games (and only 121 loses). University of Maryland, After graduating from DeMatha, Aldridge attended American University and worked as a writer for the Washington Post. Then in the WCAC boys basketball semifinal games, St. Johns edged Gonzaga, 54-53; and Paul VI edged DeMatha, 72-70. I cant escape into sports. One Black former DeMatha player suggested that hiring Strickland, on the heels of McGregor, signals the desire of the administration to reset the culture and return to the days when Wootten would leave victories and head over to Ledo in College Park and draw up Xs and Os over some pizza and Miller Lite. The Washington Catholic Athletic Conference announced its basketball coaches and players of the year. Mustaf played under Strickland when he was Woottens assistant, and Strickland, who taught English, was Mustafs favorite teacher. DeMatha's 1965 victory over Power Memorial was the "foundation" of "something beautiful" 8 years ago BY CHRIS MCMANES Morgan Wootten won 88 percent of the basketball games he coached at DeMatha Catholic High School from 1956 to 2002. The Paul VI squad converted four treys, 20 other baskets and 11 free throws for their 63 points. Were going to do what were going do, and yall just go play basketball and shut up.. Special Recognition and Acknowledgements: David Aldridge 83 Chief writer of the Athletic., James Brown 69 host of the NFL on Fox pregame show, Quinn Cook Sacramento Kings, Jeff Peterson 07 Assistant GM with the Brooklyn Nets. This list of distinguished DeMatha Catholic High School alumni is loosely ordered by relevance, so the most recognizable celebrities who attended DeMatha Catholic High School are at the top of the list. When Wootten began considering retirement near the end of the last century, the assumption, even by him, was that his son, Joe, would slide over one seat from his role as top assistant. Right now, I cant look at DeMatha that way. This spring, he has served as the coach for the under-16 national team. Minnesota Timberwolves, Jarius Lyles 13 Now its pretty much like: F yall. Mike Brey, head coach of Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball, also played under Wootten. DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Md., doesn't have your average high school basketball program. Miami Heat, Charles Whitney 76 The late Coach Morgan Wootten, who was the varsity head coach for 46 seasons and won 1,274 games. To learn more about our basketball program, please visit our DeMatha Hoops website! The basketball program and DeMatha's proud athletic reputation owe a lot to the late Morgan Wootten, who was the varsity head coach for 46 seasons and won 1,274 games. But Smiths plan for them has been shaken, he said, after his alma maters recent decision to replace Woottens Black successor, Mike Jones, with a White interim coach, Pete Strickland bypassing, without even interviewing, several Black assistants in the process. He had five children, Cathy, Carol, Tricia, Brendan, and Joe. Todd Beckerman, Wrestling, 1996 A legendary prep career with a record of 208-1 the only loss coming during his freshman year. [3], According to the school's website, the music program includes "five concert bands, three choruses, three percussion ensembles, three string orchestras, six levels of music theory, and a History of Rock and Roll class" plus "two jazz ensembles, a pep band for basketball games, a gospel choir, as well as numerous small ensembles. Dantley and legendary coach Morgan Wootten have even been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. This is a national program. Since 1969, DeMatha athletic teams have won more than 150 championships in 11 sports. DeMatha Basketball History Previous Seasons All-Time Roster 2022-23 ( 19 players) Head Coach: Mike G Jones Winston, Jaden ( Sr.) Arnold, Isaiah ( Sr.) Tate, Kristian ( Sr.) Thomas, Malcolm ( Jr.) Wallace, Jacob ( So.) DeMatha hasnt been down this road often. I think its about being consistent with kids. He is not anticipating he will get either. With Mike departing for Virginia Tech, and after the interim term of Pete Strickland 75, the Stags welcomed Coach Mike G Jones, III as the new Head Basketball Coach. Site by Glass Canvas. Its confusing to me, said Keith Stevens, director of an AAU program, Team Takeover, that has long attracted and trained top DeMatha players, including NBA all-star Victor Oladipo and Detroit Piston Jerami Grant. In Joness last full season at DeMatha, 2019-20, he led the Stags to the 41st conference title in program history and their second in three seasons. As ridiculous as it sounds, professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics, Jaylen Brown was once at risk of not making the NBA draft because he was considered "too smart.". Jones was 29 and had no previous head coaching experience. [1][14], Wootten co-authored two biographies with Bill Gilbert: From Orphans to Champions (1979), and A Coach for All Seasons (1997). [16][17], Wootten died January 21, 2020, at his home in Maryland, at the age of 88. He played at Iowa and Arkansas before attending Florida State. The couple now have two young boys. And I dont think that they would ever come out and say that, but they didnt like that.. He can be reached in the Basketball office at (240) 764-2225 or by email at mgjones@dematha.org. Another Thomas basket, as well as a bucket by Carolae Barton, gave the Cadets a 6-0 lead on the way to a 12-8 advantage as the first quarter concluded. He announced his departure on Instagram. Portland Trail Blazers, Jerian Grant 10 Two days later, DeMatha hired Strickland, an alumnus with connections to the basketball team stretching five decades, for at least the next season. [2][6][7] Wootten has the second most wins as a head coach in the history of boys high school basketball, behind Robert Hughes.[8]. He had two perfect seasons, the first coming in 1977-78 (28-0) and the other in 1990-91 (30-0). Peterson graduated from DeMatha in 2007. The film explores Wootten's coaching journey from a baseball coach at a small orphanage to the first high school basketball coach in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, as well as his personal and family life. List of famous alumni from DeMatha Catholic High School, with photos when available. St. Johns coach Scribner noted, It was a business-like game. Nor should I. I dont even want to try, even during this most absorbing stretch of the sports calendar. DeMatha helped shape me into who I am today. He attended high school at DeMatha Catholic High School, and later graduated from Harvard University with a degree in American Government. Minnesota Timberwolves, Kenny Carr 74 Villanova University Jones, 47, is a former standout guard for the Stags who starred at Old Dominion and later became a DeMatha assistant under Hall of Fame coach Morgan Wootten. BLACKSBURG Mike Jones, the head coach at DeMatha Catholic High School in Maryland since 2002-03 and a 22-time USA Basketball coach, has been named associate head coach of the Virginia Tech men's basketball team, head coach Mike Young announced Monday. [2] Another alumnus who hopes to make. DeMatha alum Jerami Grant was in town Monday for the Detroit Pistons' loss to the Washington Wizards. But even Mustaf said he is disturbed by how Strickland got the job and that none of the people behind the decision attended the meeting with parents. He anticipated that there would be backlash. Head Coach Bishop OConnell HS, Tyrell Ward In the fourth quarter, St. Johns led for the first 5:20 of game action. Conference regular season champion Then a layup by Davis with 1:21 remaining following a Paul VI turnover gave the Cadets a 60-58 lead. Danny Ferry, Basketball, 1985 Played in three Final Fours at Duke, where he was named All-America and won the Naismith Award as a senior. St. Johns led on all 49 scoring junctures of the contest and was paced by Thomas (13 points), Barton (11 points and 13 rebounds), Walker (10 points and eight rebounds), Greene (nine points and seven rebounds), ONeil (three points) and Morgan Stewart (two). It really hurts my heart because I never thought DeMatha would get to this point and to not even think enough about us. Prominent graduates from DeMatha Catholic High School include celebrities, politicians, business people, athletes and more. Like other parents, he spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid retribution against his son. It was the 500th win of Joness head coaching career. That success has attracted plenty of outside interest. Day said inclusion will factor in the decision, pointing to the recent hiring of Shaka Dickerson, who is Black, as dean of students. Once, when Mustaf missed an assignment, Strickland assigned him James Baldwins The Fire Next Time as a makeup lesson. Manchin and Haley at least talk the right way against federal spending, Donald Trump's five-pronged attack plan against Ron DeSantis looks pretty weak, Reporters Notebook: Bidens student loan forgiveness plan in Supreme Court's crosshairs. It lasted nearly two hours. Daquan Davis finished with a team-high 21 points, seven rebounds and three assists along with the game-winning basket. In terms of basketball and teaching, I can vouch for him. They criticize a lack of transparency in the hiring process especially after that process led the administration to overlook all 10 of Joness assistant coaches, most of whom are Black, choosing instead a 64-year-old White man who hasnt coached since he directed Irelands national team three years ago. St. Johns College High School in Washington, D.C., celebrated twin triumphs on Feb. 27 at American Universitys Bender Arena, as St. Johns Cadets girls and boys basketball teams both netted Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship wins. Three of the lady Panthers 10 losses this season came via St. Johns. A forward and six-time NBA All-Star, he was. Records and information is as of 12 p.m. on Friday. Drew Hanlen is the CEO of Pure Sweat and an NBA Strategic Skills Coach & Consultant that counts Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards), Andrew Wiggins (Minnesota Timberwolves), Dwight Howard (Houston. None of them have been what this offer is, and thats what got my attention, Jones said. It is a program built on tradition with a past that has strengthened each decade even as the game of basketball continues to evolve.