2019 Graduates: Carsten Kogelnik Brown University, Justin Moore Villanova University, Steve Settles The Howard University, Thaire Vance Morgan State University, Joshua Wallace Plays football for UMass, Jahmir Young University of Maryland. 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. Then in the WCAC girls basketball semifinal games, St. Johns defeated Good Counsel, 67-34; and Paul VI edged Bishop McNamara, 53-52, toppling the undefeated Mustangs. Times have changed. [1][2][3], Wootten enrolled at Montgomery College and in 1951 began coaching baseball, football, and basketball at St. Joseph's Home and School for Boys, an orphanage in Washington, D.C. The basketball culture in this area is second to none, Jones said. In Spring of 2020, Jones accepted a job as the assistant head coach for Virginia Tech Hokies. Two Black coaches at the two most visible programs? And since DeMatha requires coaches to be educators, Strickland can easily fill the position in the English department vacated by Jones. 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. DeMatha is home to 13 varsity sports, as well as junior varsity and freshman teams. WCAC girls basketball Coach of the Year: McNamaras Frank Oliver. [7], During his coaching career at DeMatha, located just two miles (3km) away from his alma mater, he received job offers from North Carolina State,[12] Georgetown, and American, as well as interest from Duke, Wake Forest, and Virginia. 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. Thats what Ive been doing as a coach for a long time. Those explanations havent been conveyed, which frustrates some parents, who contend that handling a transition the way DeMatha did 20 years ago isnt acceptable. The Stags have had just two basketball coaches since 1956, and the previous hire had its share of controversy. The program began in 2019, when. When people are passionate about a school or a teacher or a coach, then you get passionate responses. (Jones did not respond to a request for comment). When he retired in 2002, Woottens career coaching record stood at 1,274-192. 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. June 10, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. EDT. DeMatha helped shape me into who I am today. Last month, a week after the hire was announced, the school organized a meeting between Strickland and parents. On top of being one of the best basketball teams in the Washington, DC area, the school has won six national championships. Rarely do people yawn when they talk about DeMatha, Day said. Keith Bogans, Basketball, 1999 Four-year starter and SEC player of year at Kentucky in 2003. Chase Young, star defensive end for the Washington Football Team, is among many DeMatha graduates to reach the NFL. 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. Sidney Lowe, Basketball, 1979 Along with DeMatha teammate Dereck Whittenburg, led North Carolina State to the 1983 NCAA title. Division regular season and conference tournament champion Before high school, Moore, who earned first-team All-Met honors last season, would have envisioned October as a chance to enjoy himself while prepping for the start of basketball season in November. Former NBA as a sideline reporter for Turner Sports (TNT). 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. But to Smith and others, it should have been taken into account immediately, whether Strickland ends up staying on the bench or not. Seattle Supersonics, Sidney Lowe 79 Both teams will be playing further post-season basketball in the days ahead and both squads should be very strong next season as well. I wanted them to know that this was the most difficult decision of my life, Jones said. In the not-so-dramatic fourth quarter, the Cadets led by double digits on 15 different junctures. More than a dozen of Wootten's players went on to play in the NBA, including Adrian Dantley and Danny Ferry. Mike Brey, head coach of Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball, also played under Wootten. Everybody who is hired here has to be connected with the mission because were hiring an educator who happens to be a coach. In this wide-ranging documentary, top coaches, players, and sports journalists - Coach K, Roy Williams, Mike Brey, James Brown, John Feinstein, and others - tell the story of DeMatha High School and its legendary coach who shaped the game of basketball and changed lives along the way. 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. They didnt like that, I dont think. In 1984 Branch led the Terrapins to the ACC Championship. 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. We dont have an opening in math. Everyone at St. Johns knows winning., Praising their coach, Delaney Thomas said, Coach Scribner is the best coach I could have ever asked for. Boston Celtics, Adrian Branch 81 The DeMatha athletic department has garnered over 200 league championships in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) since the school won its first championshipin 1957.DeMatha is home to 13 varsity sports, as well as junior varsity andfreshman teams. Whoever takes the position will be just the schools third coach since 1956. One fact, in particular, overwhelmed the conversation: that none of Joness assistants were even considered, let alone consulted about the schools plans. The Washington Catholic Athletic Conference announced its basketball coaches and players of the year. Head Coach The Apprentice School, Sidney Lowe 79 On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Brey is a 1982 graduate of George Washington University. Owns a small stake in the Washington Nationals. DeMatha alum Jerami Grant was in town Monday for the Detroit Pistons' loss to the Washington Wizards. For the Jan. 27 funeral Mass, 1,500 mourners - many former players, coaching and teaching colleagues, family and friends - filled the Morgan and Kathy Wootten Gymnasium on the campus of DeMatha, where from 1956 to 2002, Wootten served as the head basketball coach and was a world history teacher at the all-boys school in Hyattsville, Maryland. He played college football at the, The Best NBA Players With No Championship Rings. He loves us and wants us all to do our best.. 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. When Wootten retired in 2002 after 46 seasons, Jones inherited the areas most prestigious high school basketball job. [33] The Debrief: Tim Carney on Chicago mayoral race being about rising crime, The Debrief: Conn Carroll on HHS encouraging illegal child labor. But while Osaka Inc. is thriving, Naomi, the woman, is hurting. He attended high school at DeMatha Catholic High School, and later graduated from Harvard University with a degree in American Government. Once, when Mustaf missed an assignment, Strickland assigned him James Baldwins The Fire Next Time as a makeup lesson. K.C. DeMatha has long been recognized as one of the elite academic institutions in suburban Washington. Daquan Davis finished with a team-high 21 points, seven rebounds and three assists along with the game-winning basket. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Jones estimates he has been offered at least one college opportunity in each of the past 15 years. We had lot of balance, and we rebounded well. He graduated from the University of Maryland in 1956 with degrees in physical education and history. 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. Minnesota Timberwolves, Kenny Carr 74 Im not going to try and learn all of the handshakes, but I am who I am., The dearth of black coaches in the NFL is a problem that somehow still hasnt been fixed. To learn more about our basketball program, please visit our DeMatha Hoops website! Plays football for UMass DeMatha Basketball Alumni History powered by SportsMarkit. It was a great atmosphere in school today getting ready for this game, said Thomas, a senior. Miami Heat, Charles Whitney 76 I cant escape into sports. [18][19], In 1992, Wootten wrote a manual for coaching, Coaching Basketball Successfully, with co-author Dave Gilbert. 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). We took it possession by possession. People on this list must have gone to DeMatha Catholic High School and be of some renown. St. Johns coach Scribner noted, It was a business-like game. It wouldve made a little bit more sense if, when he came in, [Strickland] didnt have an interim tag. Named after John of Matha, DeMatha is under the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington and is a member of the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. Part of the 4x400m relay team that captured gold in Atlanta in 1996. Black football agents face another hurdle: Convincing White players to sign with them, Everything for us is One DeMatha, and all of a sudden it felt like two, said one alumnus and parent of a current basketball player. 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. DeMatha Basketball Roster 2022-23 Players (19) Staff (5) Ways you can help Make an impact on this team, and help keep MaxPreps up-to-date. Smith and Mustaf said the stability the school claimed it sought in Strickland could have been achieved by hiring someone already on the bench. Thats not happening in America.. San Diego Rockets, The following individuals are DeMatha Alumni, former DeMatha Coaches, or both, David Adkins DeMathas administration needed to keep the continuity together moving forward and felt that Coach was the best choice to do that, said Blakeney, who was teammates with Jones, Veney and DeMatha assistant Kevin Cromer. WCAC boys basketball Coach of the Year: St. Johns Patrick Behan. 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. St. Johns boys basketball team improved to 29-2 and were paced by Davis (21 points), Donovan Freeman (16 points), Mack (15 points), Raymond Watts (seven points), Timothy Barton (four points) and Devin Toatley (two points). Having an example in Coach Jones and our assistants to look up to was HUGE in the development of our young men both on and off the court the past two decades.. Athletic Director McNeese State, Duane Simpkins 92 We already had an interim., Aaron Proia, a video coordinator, is one of two assistants to leave the program since Strickland was hired. The entire St. Johns athletic program has been a juggernaut this academic year. 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. St. Johns players converted six treys, 22 other baskets and three free throws for their teams 65 points. Most of the people who spoke to The Washington Post were vehement that their problems werent with Strickland or McGregor, the football coach. Kings, Bernard Williams 65 San Diego Rockets. Wootten and his son both led one of the largest camps in the United States , Coach Wootten's Basketball Camp, held in Frostburg, Maryland at Frostburg State University and at Bishop O'Connell High School. James Brown, Basketball, 1969 A three-time All-Ivy League pick and team captain at Harvard. Stricklands wife, Mary, is also a faculty member. Cook is a professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the NBA. 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. 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. St. Johns knocked down one trey, 16 buckets and 13 free throws for their 48 points. I knew every time I walked into those DeMatha doors, it was always a place of love and unity. Read more about Coach Jones under his bio. Angry social media posts and emotional responses have gone viral within the DeMatha basketball community. 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. 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.". Were happy with that.. He and teammate Joe Forte, 2001 ACC player of year at North Carolina, led DeMatha to City Title as juniors. With 1:06 remaining, Paul VIs Patrick Ngongba converted a putback basket, and the Panthers led 62-60. Now David is the Chief writer of the Athletic. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz, and a slew of successful coaches at every level. Most of the assistants played at DeMatha, either for Wootten or Jones. Thaire Vance Born on October 24, 1996, the 21-year old athlete attended Joseph Wheeler High School, located in Marietta, Georgia. Had a four-year NBA career. To Smith and others, these high-profile moves suggest a pattern of bias and discomfort with Black leadership. [5], Wootten resided in University Park, Maryland with his wife, Kathy, whom he married in 1964. Before he decides to spend his savings on two DeMatha educations, Smith said he needs to hear an apology or a satisfactory explanation. Both St. Johns and Paul VIs boys basketball teams will be playing more postseason basketball in the days ahead and both should be very strong next season in the WCAC. Conference regular season champion "Virginia Tech is first and foremost getting a great person who not only fits our program, but embodies what our University is about," Young . Praising his team, St. Johns coach Behan said, You could really sense from this team that they have been a real family this season.. University of Connecticut (UConn) This article was published more than1 year ago. University of Delaware, Heath Schroyer 90 He has also played for the Dallas Mavericks, the New Orleans Pelicans, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Coming off a challenging, pandemic-condensed season, some found out about Strickland on social media. [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. Baltimore Bullets, Keith Bogans 99 Justin Moore John's College High School) In the nightcap, St. John's boys' basketball team held off nationally ranked Paul VI, 65-63, to claim the 2022-23 WCAC basketball title. For so many fans, who dont even know me, to reach out and say they wanted me to join this community? 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. The WCAC playoffs are over for the Stags after their loss in the semi-finals to PVI, 72-70. Portland Trailblazers, Sid Catlett 67 This is a national program. Harris-Smith scored again to make it 60-60, but the senior missed the ensuing free throw. Paul VI knocked down four treys, eight buckets and eight free throws for their 36 points. I feel like they let us down.. This didnt feel brotherly., Its nobody on this earth, the parent went on, that can tell me that if there were five White [assistant] coaches there that they would go find a 70-year-old Black coach to coach them without even talking to the white boys that were there. 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). In October 2012, Jones was named a Distinguished Alumnus at ODU and in 2017 was inducted into the DeMatha Hall of Fame. Grambling University, Hunter Dickinson DeMatha has one of the top basketball programs in the nation. 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. 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. Whos lying here? Mustaf played under Strickland when he was Woottens assistant, and Strickland, who taught English, was Mustafs favorite teacher. 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. St. John's (30-2) - Last week: 2. Bryant University, Carsten Kogelnik This story has been updated with additional information about how assistant coaches learned about Stricklands hire. [23], National champion Famous DeMatha Catholic High School Alumni. Virginia Tech I love them so much, and I love DeMatha so much. According to GovSalaries, which keeps a database of public salary figures, Virginia Techs previous associate head coach, Chester Frazier, earned $320,000 annually. 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. The Panthers girls basketball team dropped to 20-10 on the season. It lasted nearly two hours. 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. The same can be said for Springs Valley High School in Indiana, which was one and done with Larry Bird. According to those in attendance, he handled himself admirably. The St. John's players at right are Ava O'Neal (#3) and Carolae Barton. I owe everything Ive done thus far to this program and anything I do in the future to this program., Potomac softball, outscoring opponents 47-0, takes its lead from senior Maria Urban, Wild finish gives Stone Bridge football its second state title in 10 tries, The arrival of spring high school sports brings new obstacles and plenty of gratitude, Goldendoodle shows stunning breakaway speed, hounds high school runner at finish line. 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. This spring, he has served as the coach for the under-16 national team. 5 in final MaxPreps Top 25 Breakdown: The Stags have established themselves as a mainstay in the MaxPreps Top 25, finishing. 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. We kept them under 40 points and that says a lot about our defensive effort tonight, said veteran Cadets head coach Jonathan Scribner. Now its pretty much like: F yall. I could not be more excited and ready to pour everything I have into that basketball program.. In Youngs second season in Blacksburg, the Hokies went 15-7, losing to Florida in the first round of the NCAA tournament. It was clear from the start that DeMatha had an agenda, Smith said. DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Md., doesn't have your average high school basketball program. Imagine how that would be received in the news firing the physics teacher because we need a coach, said Day, adding that DeMatha doesnt allow parents of current students to be on its board. Adrian Delano Dantley (born February 28, 1956) is an American retired basketball player who played 15 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Joshua Wilson (born March 11, 1985) is a former American football cornerback. [16][17], Wootten died January 21, 2020, at his home in Maryland, at the age of 88. St. John's moves up to No. 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. Strickland has his share of supporters, who tout his ties to the school, passion for the game and considerable experience. He coached his predecessor, Jones, in high school, then recruited and coached Jones again at Old Dominion University. Seattle Supersonics, Markelle Fultz 16 Markelle Fultz (2016) is a professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic, who was the first pick of the 2017 NBA Draft. 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. 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. Head Girls Coach Bishop McNamara HS, Chris Parsons 91Al 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. Portland Trail Blazers, Jerian Grant 10 He most recently worked as athletic director at St. Johns Catholic Prep in Frederick County. 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. 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. No point passing gun control if you don't prosecute gun crimes. Won four National Prep titles. Now what? That love caught me off guard, Jones said. James Mason University (JMU), Elijah Hawkins 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. In junior high, he went to school in Greenbelt, where his basketball coach arranged for Morgan Wootten to come see him play. unknown to the kids. I dont see how anyone would think that was fair.. Mississippi State University Like other parents, he spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid retribution against his son. 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. The couple now have two young boys. In terms of how this whole thing has taken place, I cant, Mustaf said in an interview. [21][22], Wootten appeared in the 2020 documentary Basketball County along DeMatha alums Victor Oladipo and Adrian Dantley. In terms of basketball and teaching, I can vouch for him. Also won an NCAA 400m title at Georgia Tech. Head coach: Mike Jones | 2019-20: 30-3, No. 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. On top of being one of the best basketball teams in the Washington, DC area, the school has won six national championships. Had a 14-year pro career and now is general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Led by star player John Austin, the basketball team won its first conference title in 1961 and the national high school championship in 1962.