By 1967, legendary coach Morgan Wootten had firmly established DeMatha as the premier high school basketball program in the Washington area.
Taking over the top spot after the Archbishop Carroll dynasty had run its course, the Stags reigned as the best team in the area for the next half-dozen years, and even garnered national attention following their upset of New York’s Power Memorial and superstar Lew Alcindor in 1965.
Throughout that period, league rival Mackin also established itself as one of the best programs around. During a five-season run, from 1961-66, the Trojans – then coached by Paul Furlong – ran up a record of 133-33.
That would be an admirable showing against any level of competition. It was even more impressive considering now-closed Mackin competed in the Washington Catholic League against the likes of DeMatha, Carroll and St. John’s. Then, as now, the league featured some of the best high school basketball around.
But as good as Mackin was during that stretch, it could never unseat DeMatha. The Stags won the league title every year from 1961-66 and would win it again every year from 1968-76.
But 50 years ago this week, Mackin was finally able to knock DeMatha from the top of the league standings and the top of the local high school basketball rankings.
DeMatha didn’t lose often. On the rare occasions the Stags did lose, it took an oustanding player, or team, or circumstance to beat them.
In the first week of March in 1967, Mackin had at least two of the three factors in their favor. Star guard Autin Carr scored 21 points (including the 2,000th of his pep career) as Mackin downed DeMatha, 54-48, on the night of March 3, 1967.
It was, by all accounts, the biggest regular-season high school game of the year, and mabe the biggest locally since the DeMatha-Power clash two years before. To accommodate the huge crowd expected, the game was moved to Cole Field House at the University of Maryland, where a throng of 8,500 gathered to watch the show.
They saw a classic. DeMatha led by nine (16-7) early in the game, but the margin remained within three points for much of the game, with neither team able to gain much of an edge. Mackin’s Richie Ford hit a basket early in the fourth quarter to give the Trojans the lead for good at 42-41. The previous three baskets in the game resulted in the lead switching hands – that’s how close it was.
Carr, who had been hot early, but quiet in the middle, delivered at the end. He sank six consecutive free throws in the last two minutes to clinch the game, the league titles and the area’s No.1 ranking for the Trojans.
Carr was as prolific a scorer as any local high school has ever produced. He went on to an All-American career at Notre Dame and was a first-round draft choice in the NBA. But he had lots of help, too. Mackin had a great distributor and defensive player at the point in Sterling Savoy, a talented big man in 6-foot-8 Garland Williams, and another reliable offensive option in Richie Ford. Carr and Williams earned All-Met recognition in the Washington Star for the 1966-67 season; Carr and Savoy were picked for the Washington Post squad. Ford was chosen for All-Met honors the next season.
It had been a long time coming for Mackin. The Trojans had won the first regular-season game between the two powerful teams a little more than a month before. Carr scored 21 points in that first triumph, including a key three-point play with 2:10 left, to lead Mackin to a 55-49 victory over 2,500 fans at Fort Myer across the river in Virginia.
That victory was Mackin’s first over DeMatha in 10 years. The league title was the school’s first – and only – as a member of the Catholic League/Metro Conference. And, it was the only time DeMatha failed to win the crown in that ultra-competitive league between 1961 and 1976.
After Mackin’s second victory over the Stags in ‘67, Furlong made so secret about what his focus had been that season – and in fact his entire coaching career at Mackin up to that point.
“Trying to reach the level Morgan (Wootten) hs established at DeMatha has helped us,” he said. “DeMatha has pride – they’ve had it for a long time – and now we have it.”
7 Comments
Section 22 was the main cheering force at Mackin High School. Deno, Aaron Campbell, Wayne Gardner, Albert Triplett, Desi, Agazzi, Larry Johnson, Daryl Crowder, Jack Stiles, Reggie Gordon, Blaze Terry, Mark Pugh and others. The greatest feeling for all students who attended Mackin that year. Paul Furlong was our homeroom teacher and mentor.
Richie Ford just passed away last weekend. A service is being planned for Sunday, 12/16/2018.
He is my uncle.
Michael Harris, 12/1/2018
Great article and it brings back memories; I was a member of that team.
Mike Harrison
([email protected])
Between 1965 and 1969, MCKINLEY Tech made the Interhigh playoffs, four times in five years. Winning three Interhigh championships in that timeframe. Of course our 1969 Magnificent Seven is the stuff of legend. . During that span, 1967 was the only “down” year. Mackin came to our gym that year, and beat us like a drum. . It was the only time that I ever personally witnessed a H.S. player score in the 50s. Austin Carr from River Terrace, N.E. was that player. Garland Williams added a dunk (seldom seen in those days) for good measure. But EVERYBODY knew that Austin Carr was da MAN. 🤷🏾♂️👊🏾🤷🏾♂️
Thank you! — John’s widow, Andrea
An internet basketball poll titled Jimmy Chitwood Basketball produced a mythical national championship bracket for 1967 which produced Mackin as national champions. They even beat powerful Weequahic from Newark, N. J. In addition, in 1965, while Lew Alcindor and Power Memorial from New York were dominating high school basketball on their way to a 71 game winning streak and 21-1 record for the season, the Trojans almost beat Power before DeMatha did. Mackin led Power at halftime and I believe lost by 3 points. Power dominated the New York Catholic High School AA playoffs. Austin Carr was a sophomore on that team.
Thank you! Great historical information! — John’s widow, Andrea