Wootten was named Coach of the 20th Century and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000. He can be reached in the Basketball office at (240) 764-2225 or by email at mgjones@dematha.org. Paul VI, led by veteran coach by veteran Scott Allen, was paced by Louis Volker (11 points), Anna Kunzwiler (nine points), Brooke Batchelor (six points), Laura Williams (four points/eight rebounds/three blocks), Riley Hamburger (four points) and Sadie Shores (two points/six rebounds). Jones said he has not given any thought to who will replace him as coach of the Stags or whether he will play any part in that hiring process. 2020 Graduates: Hunter Dickinson University of Michigan, Paul Smith Mississippi State University, Earl Timberlake Bryant University. DeMatha Hoops | DeMatha Basketball Alumni History powered by SportsMarkit. Whoever takes the position will be just the schools third coach since 1956. I was having an identity crisis. Jones has established himself as not only a worthy successor to Wootten but also one of the most respected figures in the D.C. areas ultracompetitive prep basketball scene. St. John's moves up to No. 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. 4313 Madison Street, Hyattsville, MD 20781 Dickinson (right) with DeMatha Catholic in 2020 Dickinson attended DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland. 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. Dickinson was named to the First Team All-WCAC alongside teammate Justin Moore. [16][17], Wootten died January 21, 2020, at his home in Maryland, at the age of 88. Dantley and legendary coach Morgan Wootten have . 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. It was a great atmosphere in school today getting ready for this game, said Thomas, a senior. The final game of the year, played just weeks before the pandemic shut down high school athletics across the country, was a 70-56 victory over Paul VI in the WCAC title game. Student-athletes play and work to their potential. And since DeMatha requires coaches to be educators, Strickland can easily fill the position in the English department vacated by Jones. Times have changed. I dont see how anyone would think that was fair.. We had lot of balance, and we rebounded well. Strickland managed to assuage some of them, displaying the savvy and charm that helped him serve as head coach from Coastal Carolina University from 1998 to 2005 and Irelands national team from 2016 to 2018. I cant escape into sports. Cook is a professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the NBA. I wanted them to know that this was the most difficult decision of my life, Jones said. San Antonio Spurs, Joseph Forte 99 The shot bounced off the back of the rim and the Cadets celebration was on, one year after St. Johns finished with a .500 record. In 46 seasons as the head coach of DeMatha basketball, he won five high school national championships, 22 Washington, D.C. titles, and 33 WCAC championships. We dont have an opening in science. Two Black coaches at the two most visible programs? 72-70 (W) Paul VI vs. DeMatha On 2/26, the Paul VI varsity basketball team won their neutral playoff game against DeMatha (Hyattsville, MD) by a score of 72-70. I love them so much, and I love DeMatha so much. Derek Mills, Track, 1990 One of three DeMatha grads to earn an Olympic gold medal. Sidwell Friends (25-4) - Last week: 3. [20], In 2017, the documentary film Morgan Wootten: The Godfather of Basketball was released. And Im like, Nah, yall have got to address this. Im willing to do this for the greater good because I know a lot of my guys want to say something but cant.. 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). Its at the core of who I am as a person. On top of being one of the best basketball teams in the Washington, DC area, the school has won six national championships. DeMatha Basketball, DeMatha Basketball, Coaches, Alumni, Athletes, Mike Jones, Morgan Wootten, Victor Oladipo, Quinn Cook, Jerami Grant, Markelle Fultz, Hunter Dickinson, Justin Moore, Jemari Young, Earl Timberlake, SportsMarkit, Stags, WCAC, WCAC Basketball, Maryland Basketball, Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, DeMatha Catholic High School Hyattsville, Maryland, Mike Jones, Coach Mike Jones, Coach Wooten, Nike Basketball, Nike Elite Basketball, David Aldridge, James Brown, Carsten Kogelnik, Jeff Peterson, Justin Moore, Steve Settles, Thaire Vance, Joshua Wallace, Jahmir Young, Earl Timberlake, Paul Smith, Elijah Hawkins, Jordan Hawkins, Will Reynolds, Tyrell Ward, Rodney Rice Jr, Bryson Hill, Aaron Roberson, Jerrell Roberson, bp-nouveau,page-template-default,page,page-id-1683,theme-bridge,qode-quick-links-1.0,woocommerce-no-js,ajax_fade,page_not_loaded,,no_animation_on_touch,qode_grid_1300,footer_responsive_adv,hide_top_bar_on_mobile_header,columns-4,qode-theme-ver-11.1,qode-theme-bridge,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-5.7,vc_responsive,no-js. People on this list must have gone to DeMatha Catholic High School and be of some renown. DeMatha basketball coach Mike Jones, after 511 wins, takes top assistant job at Virginia Tech, Bradley Beal hits season high as Wizards fight to the finish in Atlanta, In his spring training debut, Patrick Corbin finds reasons to believe. James Brown, Basketball, 1969 A three-time All-Ivy League pick and team captain at Harvard. Its Make DeMatha Great Again, he said. The basketball power he built produced dozens of NBA players, including Hall of Famer Adrian Dantley and 2017 No. The Paul VI squad converted four treys, 20 other baskets and 11 free throws for their 63 points. Owns a small stake in the Washington Nationals. He is not anticipating he will get either. March Madness for me is no competition for the real madness that, while overseas this time, seems oh so close. Read Kevin B. Blackistone on the war in Ukraine. Before he took on the head coaching position at DeMatha, Jones served as an assistant to the legendary Morgan Wootten for four seasons. This past winter, pandemic restrictions limited DeMatha to a condensed schedule without a postseason, and the team finished 11-0. Even some critics of the hire say they have no doubt he can do the job. At least four of Joness assistants have committed to staying through next season, Strickland said, and he plans to give others the time they need to come to a decision. As second edition of the book was published in 2003, and a third edition in 2012, co-authored with Joe Wootten. He had five children, Cathy, Carol, Tricia, Brendan, and Joe. The Cadets put the offensive pedal to the metal throughout the entire third quarter and led 50-44 after 24 minutes were in the books. Athletic Director McNeese State, Duane Simpkins 92 Like other parents, he spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid retribution against his son. But what DeMatha officials might not have anticipated was the outrage over the process. Williams was a shooting guard much like Maurice, a dive-on-the-ball player known for his defense. Brian Westbrook, Football, 1997 Star running back at Villanova, where he won the Walter Payton Award in 2001 as top offensive player in Division I-AA. Nate Darling (2016) is a professional basketball player who plays for the Charlotte Hornets and played collegiately at the University of Delaware. We already had an interim., Aaron Proia, a video coordinator, is one of two assistants to leave the program since Strickland was hired. Will Reynolds, The Howard University Bob Whitmore, Basketball, 1965 Keyed upset of Power Memorial and star center Lew Alcindor -- later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar -- at Cole Field House. Praising his team, St. Johns coach Behan said, You could really sense from this team that they have been a real family this season.. DeMatha Graduates who played in the NBA: 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, Markelle Fultz 16 Orlando Magic, Jerami Grant 12 Portland Trail Blazers, Jerian Grant 10 Orlando Magic, John Jones 62 Boston Celtics, Joe Kennedy 64 Seattle Supersonics, Sidney Lowe 79 Minnesota Timberwolves, Jarius Lyles 13 Utah Jazz, Jerrod Mustaf 88 Phoenix Suns, Victor Oladipo 10 Miami Heat, Charles Whitney 76 K.C. We scream, One DeMatha, because of the brotherhood of it. DeMatha players surround Mike Jones after the Stags won the 2020 WCAC championship game, the coach's 500th victory. The way Strickland saw it, the meeting turned with the words of Jerrod Mustaf, a DeMatha alum who played in the NBA and whose son plays for the team now. From Ernie Cage 58 and Adrian Dantley 73 to Victor Oladipo 10, Markelle Fultz 16 and Justin Moore 19, there have been many All-Americans who have played at DeMatha. Office Hours: 7:45am-3:30pm, Copyright 2021 DeMatha Catholic High School. Mike Jones and his DeMatha Squads won an impressive 500 games (and only 121 loses). Assistant Coach South Carolina, Ron Everhart 80 Starting running back for Philadelphia Eagles since 2004 and two-time Pro Bowler. Division regular season champion 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. 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. Currently head coach at N.C. State after twice coaching NBA teams. He led the Stags to five national championships and 33 Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) titles. In addition to his coaching duties at DeMatha, Jones taught at the Hyattsville school and has been involved with USA Basketball since 2004. [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. 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. In junior high, he went to school in Greenbelt, where his basketball coach arranged for Morgan Wootten to come see him play. Its allowed me to walk around the last 19 years and pound my chest and be a proud DeMatha alum.. We did not want the student-athletes to feel as if theyre being abandoned. I knew every time I walked into those DeMatha doors, it was always a place of love and unity. Head Coach Howard University, Marshall Cho School Hours: 7am-3:30pm [1][5], When he retired in 2002, Wootten's career coaching record stood at 1,274-192. I have had the privilege of watching Mike over the years and have continually been impressed with his ability to teach the game of basketball and mentor players, Young said in a news release. The entire St. Johns athletic program has been a juggernaut this academic year. Instead, Joe Wootten left to become the coach at Bishop OConnell, and Jones became the choice. Harris-Smith was fouled with 33 seconds remaining, but he only knocked down one of two free throws and the game was tied, 63-63. The St. John's players at right are Ava O'Neal (#3) and Carolae Barton. (Jones did not respond to a request for comment). Director of Player Development Portland Trailblazer, Assistant Coach University of Notre Dame. Angry social media posts and emotional responses have gone viral within the DeMatha basketball community. Three of the lady Panthers 10 losses this season came via St. Johns. 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. He is a DeMatha alumnus who played for Wootten before starring at the University of Pittsburgh. Minnesota Timberwolves, Jarius Lyles 13 Coming off a challenging, pandemic-condensed season, some found out about Strickland on social media. Before he decides to spend his savings on two DeMatha educations, Smith said he needs to hear an apology or a satisfactory explanation. He also helped the program uphold its reputation as a Division I talent factory. Bryson Hill Phoenix Suns, Victor Oladipo 10 Villanova 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. Has gone on to a distinguished broadcasting career with FOX and CBS. Orlando Magic, Jerami Grant 12 [18][19], In 1992, Wootten wrote a manual for coaching, Coaching Basketball Successfully, with co-author Dave Gilbert. In the first championship game, the St. Johns girls basketball team led from start to finish and defeated arch-rival St. Paul VI High School of Chantilly, Virginia, 48-36, to claim their second consecutive WCAC basketball title. It's a program built on tradition with a storied past that has strengthened each decade even as the game of basketball continues to change. unknown to the kids. The Cadets, coached by veteran Behan (a former Bucknell player), outscored the Panthers 16-9 to trail 19-18 as the first quarter concluded. In the not-so-dramatic fourth quarter, the Cadets led by double digits on 15 different junctures. As of May 23, 2022, DeMatha's New Basketball Coach is Mike G. Jones III. In terms of basketball and teaching, I can vouch for him. Both teams will be playing further post-season basketball in the days ahead and both squads should be very strong next season as well. Over a seven season period, Peterson rose from intern to General Manager with the Atlanta Hawks before taking on his current role as Assistant GM with the Brooklyn Nets. Whitmore played at Notre Dame, where he still ranks 12th all-time in scoring. 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. What the hell have I been out here doing, and what am I a part of? Site by Glass Canvas. [2] His overall record at the time was 1,210 wins and 183 losses. When people are passionate about a school or a teacher or a coach, then you get passionate responses. Although Winston missed the free throw,. Strickland has his share of supporters, who tout his ties to the school, passion for the game and considerable experience. Pat Ward is not only the Cadets football coach, but the schools athletic director as well. One fact, in particular, overwhelmed the conversation: that none of Joness assistants were even considered, let alone consulted about the schools plans. Mike Jones 91 successfully followed up a legend by making his own legendary path by amassing over 500 wins in 19 seasons, eight WCAC Championships, and he himself played under Morgan and was a key member of the 1991 squad that went undefeated at 30-0. DeMatha coaches also holdsummer campsfor young athletes of all ages and coaching clinics throughout the year to share their successful techniques. Day said DeMatha opted for a temporary fix in Strickland because he was available and open to guiding the program through the transition. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. 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. Jones said he was most excited by the opportunity to learn from Young and compete in the ACC with a team that has a lot of returning talent. Cook is a professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the NBA. DeMatha replaced Mike Jones, pictured here, with a White interim coach . More than a dozen of Wootten's players went on to play in the NBA, including Adrian Dantley and Danny Ferry. In the WCAC boys basketball quarterfinal games, St. Johns defeated Good Counsel, 68-63; Paul VI defeated Bishop Ireton, 77-52; DeMatha topped Bishop OConnell, 66-63; and Gonzaga defeated McNamara, 72-47. It has, quite simply a sharp shooting, smooth-handling, defense . Stricklands hiring comes two years after DeMatha brought back football coach Bill McGregor, another White man in his 60s, to replace Elijah Brooks, who is Black, after he took an assistant coaching job at the University of Maryland. The members of the womens team had been wronged. WCAC boys Player of the Year: Paul VIs DeShawn Harris-Smith. You have multiple coaches not only coaches but alums thats been a part of DeMatha the majority of their adult lives. We have worked so hard for this moment we wanted this so bad for coach B who has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), said St. Johns player Timothy Barton afterwards, acknowledging the teams respect for its coach, Patrick Behan. Jones, the face of the areas most celebrated high school sports program, was offered the top assistant position May 5, he said in a phone interview Monday. 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. The school has become the breeding ground for well-known players like Rajon Rondo, Quinn Cook, Brandon Jennings, Josh Smith, Jerry Stackhouse, and Ty Lawson. 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. Orlando Magic, John Jones 62 Jaylen Brown. Now David is the Chief writer of the Athletic. Reporters Notebook: What did Blinken tell his Russian counterpart? K.C. WCAC girls basketball Coach of the Year: McNamaras Frank Oliver. He grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland and attended Gonzaga College High School and Montgomery Blair High School, from which he graduated in 1950. Milwaukee Bucks, Danny Ferry 85 Probably, to some degree, both sides. Items here include everything from Adrian Dantley to Jarrett Jack. On Jan 30, 1965, DeMatha did what many considered impossible - it knocked off New York City's Power Memorial and its star seven-foot center Lew Alcindor, who later became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA's all-time leading scorer. Became a two-time All-America at Nebraska. St. Johns head coach Patrick Behan elected to not call a timeout with approximately 10 seconds remaining, and shouted to his junior guard, Go!. Born on October 24, 1996, the 21-year old athlete attended Joseph Wheeler High School, located in Marietta, Georgia. Assistant Coach Louisville, James Robinson 12 He has also played for the Dallas Mavericks, the New Orleans Pelicans, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the second quarter, St. Johns roared to leads of 18-8 and 21-11 on a basket by Kyndal Walker and a trey by Ava ONeil, before leading 21-17 at intermission. 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. At one point, the mother of one player stood up and asked Strickland how he could relate to teenage Black boys. Morgan Wootten began his career in 1956 at DeMatha Catholic High School. DeMatha Hoops | DeMatha Basketball Powered by SportsMarkit, DeMatha Basketball Powered by SportsMarkit, DeMatha Basketball, DeMatha Basketball, SportsMarkit, Stags, WCAC, WCAC Basketball, Maryland Basketball, Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, DeMatha Catholic High School Hyattsville, Maryland, Mike Jones, Coach Mike Jones, Coach Wooten, Nike Basketball, Nike Elite Basketball, bp-nouveau,page-template,page-template-full_width,page-template-full_width-php,page,page-id-125,theme-bridge,qode-quick-links-1.0,woocommerce-no-js,ajax_fade,page_not_loaded,,no_animation_on_touch,qode_grid_1300,footer_responsive_adv,hide_top_bar_on_mobile_header,columns-4,qode-theme-ver-11.1,qode-theme-bridge,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-5.7,vc_responsive,no-js. 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.