About Us
DeMatha has one of the top basketball programs in the nation. It is a program built on tradition with a past that has strengthened each decade even as the game of basketball continues to evolve. 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
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. Dantley and legendary coach Morgan Wootten have even been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
The late Coach Morgan Wootten, who was the varsity head coach for 46 seasons and won 1,274 games. Morgan was consistently recognized by the media, as well as his peers, as being one of the greatest basketball coaches ever at any level of play.
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.
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. Read more about Coach Jones under his bio.
A Tradition of Excellence
The 1964-65 Stag’s 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). The victory, in front of a sold-out crowd at Maryland’s Cole Field House, broke Power’s 71 game winning streak and is considered one of the most legendary high school basketball games in scholastic history. DeMatha was on the national map.
Since 1969, DeMatha athletic teams have won more than 150 championships in 11 sports. Each coach emphasizes preparation, respect, fair play and teamwork on the playing field and the importance of academic success and growth in the classroom. Student-athletes play and work to their potential.
DeMatha coaches also hold summer camps for young athletes of all ages and coaching clinics throughout the year to share their successful techniques. After successful high school and college careers, DeMatha graduates often continue to play and coach at the highest levels.