DeMatha Heads to Postseason on Eight-Game Winning Streak

In the grand scheme of things, DeMatha’s 72-55 victory over Gonzaga on Feb. 17 was just another regular-season win in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. But it was much more than that.

It guaranteed that the Stags would host a game in the quarterfinals of the WCAC Tournament.

Third-seeded DeMatha returns to the Looney Convocation Center court against sixth-seeded Bishop McNamara on Saturday at 1 p.m. The winner will advance to the WCAC semifinals at American University on Sunday night at 6:30.

The Stags (22-5) defeated the Mustangs (12-13) in Forestville, Md., on Jan. 28, 64-61. It launched an eight-game winning streak – the longest of DeMatha coach Mike G. Jones’ three seasons in Hyattsville – that began after the Stags lost at Gonzaga, 74-62, on Jan. 26.

DeMatha’s recent victory over Gonzaga, which came into the game ranked No. 1 in the Washington area and fourth in the nation, demonstrated how much the Stags have progressed. The Eagles’ early scoreboard advantage was vanquished by an 11-2 DeMatha run that propelled it to a lead it would never relinquish.

Jones said it was his team’s best performance of the year.

“Collectively, we did a great job defensively with the high-caliber guys that Gonzaga has,” he said. “We kind of shut them down, made them work for every single thing. One of the things we really focused on the last couple weeks is just staying solid and making [opponents] shoot over us.

“I think we did a really good job.”

Junior Ashton “Ace” Meeks scored 11 of his game-high 24 points in the first quarter to stake the Stags to a 25-14 lead. The 6-foot junior hit three 3-pointers in the frame, all from the left wing. His jumper late in the first half, and Jamaal McKnight’s fastbreak layup at the buzzer gave DeMatha a 17-point halftime margin.

After Christian Proctor scored five straight points and McKnight added a jumper in the lane, the Stags’ bulge had grown to 23, 54-31, with 2:28 to play in the third. The Eagles, whose season has included 10- and 12-game winning streaks, suffered its largest margin of defeat this year.

The Stags made 50% of their field goals, and 15 of their 27 baskets were assisted. They held Gonzaga to 41% shooting and 4 of 14 from long distance.

McKnight, a backcourt mate of Meeks and Jacob Wallace, finished with nine points and a team-best four assists. Wallace, who will play football next year at Iowa, had seven points, three helpers and eight rebounds.

Unselfish Play

Since losing three of five games between Jan. 14 and the loss to the Eagles, DeMatha’s average margin of victory is 18 points.

“Each and every day, we just try to get better,” Jones said. “We were a little selfish back then; now we’re starting to play together as a team. The ball is moving a lot better.”

Charles Thomas, who contributed nine points, five rebounds, two blocks and four deflections against Gonzaga, agreed with Jones on the club’s successful late-season run.

“It all starts at practice,” Thomas said. “Coach emphasizes that we need to play together and play as one. No team can win going one-on-one, trying to fight for your [stats]. So, playing together all started at practice, and we carried it over to the games.”

If the Stags and Eagles each win Saturday, they will meet Sunday with a spot in Monday’s championship game on the line. Thomas, a senior, is looking forward to suiting up one more time at home.

“It feels great,” he said. “Everyone wants to get that last win on their homecourt. Especially as a senior, it’s my last time playing here at home. We’ve just got to keep going.”

Rankings

DeMatha is ranked fourth by The Washington Post and 16th nationally by MaxPreps. Gonzaga, still No. 1 in the DMV, fell to No. 10 in the nation.

Chris McManes is DeMatha Catholic High School’s communications manager.