HYATTSVILLE, Md. – For the second time within a week, the sport of basketball lost an icon.

Last week, coach Morgan Wootten of DeMatha Catholic High School, a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Game. He was 88.

Coach Wootten was a friend and I will miss him. When I was at Scholastic, Inc., and later at USA TODAY, we struck up a great professional relationship. After attending the McDonald’s All American Game numerous times, it was a joy to spend time with he and wife Kathy.

During interviews he was accommodating and stressed God and family. Academics and basketball followed.

It’s easy to recite the 1,274 wins, countless league, Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament, six national championships in 46 seasons. He taught history at DeMatha for more than three decades.  He was the chairman of the McDonald’s All American Games and in 2000 handpicked me to join the  selection committee. It’s an honor that I cherish to this day.

Simply put: Coach Wootten touched lives on and off the court; and in the classrooms and in the hallways of DeMatha. His players said the basketball court was an extension of his classroom. He and wife Kathy attended daily Mass and prayed each night before sleep. By all accounts he lived to good life according to the Scriptures.

And it was evident Monday morning here at DeMatha’s athletic convocation center, where Mass for the Christian Burial was offered and nearly 2,000 family members, former DeMatha players, alumni and friends attended.

James Brown of CBS Sports, a former DeMatha player, eulogized Coach Wootten. At the conclusion of Catholic Mass, the family requested former players and coaches form an honor guard or a phalanx when the coach and his family left Morgan and Kathy Court.

Men of all ages and races gladly gave their coach a final farewell. You can’t make up this stuff. The coach wouldn’t have it any other way.

Coach is survived by wife Kathy, who he once told me, “is the head coach of our family,” five children and their spouses; 15 grandchildren, a brother and two sisters.

He was a walking miracle too. He received a liver transplant in1996 for a gene-relate ailment. In 2006, the coach experienced kidney failure but without fail his youngest son, Joe, donated a kidney, prolonging his life. Joe Wootten played for his dad and is currently the coach at league rival Bishop O’Connell in Arlington, Va.

Joe granted me interviews during and after the transplant surgery and told him how heroic he is. Joe knew being a perfect match for the transplant did so without hesitation.

“Joe, your father first gave you life and now you returned the favor by giving him life,” I pointed out.

That was the Wootten Way. God and family.

Coach Wootten listened intently during our interviews and he even called me when McDonald’s was creating the girls’ game in 2001. I advised him to the best of my ability and introduced him to good people in the girls’ basketball world. Like a great leader he took the advice and used it to build a new brand within the brand.

He always did the same with his assistant coaches. He allowed them to coach and listened to them. Truly the mark of a great leader.

Brilliant!

I attended his coaching clinics. It never surprised me when a giant or guardian of the game lectured.

So much has been said about the legacy of a coach. Players always remember their coaches and the lesson learned. Same can be said of a friend.

Rest easy, Coach.

Sadly, there’s more.

Then a more shocking, surreal scene came out of Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon that soon-to-be Hall of Fame selection Kobe Bryant, 41, died in a helicopter crash northwest of Los Angeles. He was traveling to a travel basketball event with his 13-year-old daughter , Gianni, who also died. All eight passengers and the pilot did not survive.

Kobe is survived by wife, Vanessa, and three daughters.

My memories and personal stories were from the mid 1990s when he was a rising star and dominated the ABCD Camp at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Rothman Center in July 1995. Less than a year later I ran the Gatorade Player of the Year program while working at Scholastic, Inc. Kobe was the 1996 Gatorade National player of the year (it was unanimous) and we were in Philadelphia to present him with the award and host his family for dinner. Mike Flynn, the editor and chief of Blue Star Media and longtime Philly basketball historian, delivered a keynote and stirring speech after dinner.

We dined at Kansas City Prime Steakhouse in trendy Manayunk neighborhood that March night and he had a dinner request.

“Can I order the Kobe beef?”

Sure thing, kid, anything you want.

The next day, we packed a ball room at Philadelphia Marriott for the award presentation and press conference. He arrived with his Lower Merion High School teammates and coaches, wearing a sharp black Italian tailored suit, dark Hollywood sunglasses propped on his cleanly shaven head and sported a killer smile. He oozed class and confidence at 17 years old. He walked on air with every step he took and spoke ethereally.

He got it!

Awe is the only word that described that experience.

That sold me. So did his willingness to take photos and sign autographs nonstop that day.

“Better get used to it,” I quipped.

“Already am,” he shot back.

Again, the star was rising. Philadelphia loved him and the images out of Los Angeles on Sunday reflect that sentiment. Honestly, it’s a love and mourning shared globally.

Kobe or the “Black Mamba,” was the ultimate player (five time NBA champion and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist), who never stopped working and going. He was at peace in retirement and loved the game. His legacy was transformative and generational on the court but he was ready to pen the next chapters of his life moving forward.

He was beloved for never backing down from a challenge and taking the big shot with the big game on the line. His unmatched work ethic was known as “mamba mentality.”

Please keep the families of both these extraordinary men in your thoughts and prayers. The power of prayer continues to amaze me!

We’re in a good mood this week so there are no teams that dropped out of the Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings. That feeling won’t last once the calendar flips to February.

In case you missed it 2020 McDonald’s All American Game roster of 24 players was unveiled last week (listed alphabetically):

Scottie Barnes, Montverde (Fla.) Academy; Brandon Boston Jr., Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth, Calif.); Greg Brown, Vandegrift (Austin, Texas); Nimari Burnett, Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.); Josh Christopher, Mayfair (Lakewood, Calif.); Terrence Clarke, Brewster Academy (N.H.); Sharife Cooper, McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.); Cade Cunningham, Montverde Academy;  RJ Davis, Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.);Dawson Garcia, Prior Lake (Minn.); Jalen Green, Prolific Prep, (Napa, Calif.); Evan Mobley, Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.); Walker Kessler, Woodward Academy (Atlanta);  Caleb Love, Christian Brothers College (St. Louis); Daishen Nix, Trinity International (Las Vegas);  Jeremy Roach, Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.); Jaden Springer, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.); Day’Ron Sharpe, Montverde Academy; DJ Stewart, Whitney Young (Chicago); Jalen Suggs, Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis, Minn.); Bryce Thompson, BT Washington (Tulsa, Okla.); Isaiah Todd, Word of God Academy (Raleigh, N.C.); Mark Williams, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) and Ziaire Williams, Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth, Calif.).

Coach Wootten would be proud of each and every one of the selections. He will be at the Toyota Center in Houston on April 1 in spirit and bursting with pride from the heavens above. Kobe was a star of stars when he played in the 1996 edition of the McDonald’s Game at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings will return Feb. 3. The regular season winds down in the coming weeks and postseason brackets will be drawn up. Expect the Elite 25 teams to figure prominently from coast to coast.

Be sure to get out and see a game in your town this week. And say a prayer and reached out to a loved one. Hope to see you at game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings, Jan. 28, 2020

1. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (22-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Low-down: Won the Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament, beating then-No. 23 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.), 83-47, in the final. The Eagles went 3-0 to recapture their signature home event. Also crushed No. 25 Scotlandville (Baton Rouge, La.), 81-48, in the semifinals. This weekend the Eagles wrap up the regular season in Hagerstown, Maryland at the Saint James Invitational Tournament for three games. They open with Scotland (Pa.) Campus Thursday and could face No. 12 IMG Academy for a third time this season. The Eagles have won both previous meetings.

2. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (29-1)

Previous: 2.

Low-down: It was a productive weekend for the Warriors, who swept through two Tennessee opponents at the FCA Prep Showcase in Bristol, Va. First, it was the Cam Thomas show as he took out his McDonald’s All American Game snub with a vengeance. The LSU-bound guard and program’s all-time leading scorer struck for 51 points, seven rebounds and three assists in a 101-67 victory over Tennessee Prep Academy (Memphis). Thomas opened the event with 30 points last Friday and the Warriors bested University School (Nashville), 112-45. Two days earlier, Thomas flipped in 40 points, giving him 121 points in his last three games! Teammate Darrick Jones, Jr., a Towson recruit, won the FCA slam-dunk contest and wowed the crowd with his aerial expertise. The Warriors are playing like a championship team but still have one team ahead of them. This weekend coach Steve Smith’s team plays Friday at home and Saturday on a neutral court in nearby Salem, Va.

3. Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (24-1)

Previous: 3.

Low-down: The Tigers stretched their won streak to eight games with two in-state victories and will participate this weekend at the Bob Kirk Invitational in Cumberland, Md. Thursday they face Rock Creek Christian (Upper Marlboro, Md.) in a single game and then play two tournament games on Friday and Saturday.

4. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (17-2)

Previous: 4.

Low-down: It was an emotional week in Maryland after DeMatha’s legendary coach and Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame member Morgan Wootten passed away but the current Stags stopped Archbishop Carroll (Washington, D.C.), 76-34. With six days between games, the Stags should be fresh for a huge home game with No. 14 Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.) in a Washington Catholic Athletic Conference showdown. They are 9-0 in league play.

5. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (22-1)

Previous: 6.

Low-down: For the second time this season, the Rams defeated Shiloh (Snellville), 6-67. The Rams are 7-1 in Region 8-AAAAAAA play and are two wins from icing the regular season championship. Also drilled Ramsay (Birmingham, Ala.), 70-44, at the Peachtree Corners Invitational in Norcross. Deivon Smith pumped in 24 points.

6. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (20-3)

Previous: 15.

Low-down: The Trailblazers remained unbeaten in the Gold Coast League, beating Windward (Los Angeles), 71-68, and Crossroads School (Santa Monica), 87-61.

In the former, 7-3Harold Yu scored 17 points but his two free throws with 19.8 seconds left allowed the Blazers to escape the upset bid. Amari Bailey (16 points) and Ziaire Williams (15) teamed for a 31 points against Crossroads.

7. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (21-2)

Previous: 7.

Low-down: Defeated Windward (Los Angeles), 66-45, at the Rolling Hills Prep State Preview Classic. Paris Dawson bucketed 22 points and freshman Jared McCain had 14. Only four games are left to clinch a perfect season in the Big VIII League.

8. Sunrise Christian Academy, Bel Aire, Kan. (13-2)

Previous: 8.

Low-down: Idle. The Buffaloes play two challenging games this weekend at the Dr. Pepper Classic in Chattanooga, Tenn.

9. Dorman, Roebuck, S.C. (19-1)

Previous: 10.

Low-down: The Cavaliers defeated Byrnes (Duncan), 81-60, and Gaffney, 60-12, moving to 8-0 in Region II.

10. Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis, Minn. (11-2)

Previous: 11.

Low-down: It was 20-10 after one period and the Minnesotans rolled to an 81-46 victory over Waseca. The Redwings have four games this week, including La Crosse (Wis.) Central Saturday at the Wisconsin vs. Minnesota Border Battle in La Crosse.

11. Hamilton Heights Christian, Chattanooga, Tenn. (20-2)

Previous: 5.

Low-down: Captured two games at the Quincy (Ill.) Shootout, beating Mehlville (St. Lois, Mo.), 81-57, and St. Louis (Mo.) Christian, 69-62. Florida-signee Samson Ruzhentsev scored 21 points in the former and was game MVP in the latter with 33 points and five treys. This weekend the Hawks have two games in the Dr. Pepper 10 Classic in Chattanooga.

12. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (14-4)

Previous: 12.

Low-down: The Ascenders bounced back with wins over Booker (Sarasota, Fla.), 74-48, and Knoxville (Tenn.) Catholic, 71-53.

13. La Lumiere School, La Porte, Ind. (14-3)

Previous: 13.

Low-down: It was a slow week with one result and one cancellation but the Lakers did stop Marquette Catholic (Michigan City), 84-45. Looking ahead they play at the Bob Kirk Invitational in Maryland starting Thursday.

14. Paul VI, Fairfax, Va. (15-4)

Previous: 14.

Low-down: Jeremy Roach, a Duke recruit, was named to the McDonald’s All American Game last week and the Panthers capped the week with an impressive 66-61 victory over league rival St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.). The Panthers have a brutal stretch this week with back-to-back WCAC games against No. 4 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) Tuesday and St. John’s Thursday.

15. Prolific Prep, Napa, Calif. (22-3)

Previous: 9.

Low-down: Went 2-1 last weekend at the Crush in the Valley Grind Session in Fairfield, Calif. McDonald’s All-America Jalen Green tossed in 41 points during an 88-76 win over Phoenix (Ariz.) Prep or the third game in three days. He also had 27 points and five boards in loss to Dream City Christian (Glendale, Ariz.).

16. Duncanville, Texas (18-2)

Previous: 18.

Low-down: Defeated Molina (Dallas), 95-21, and Richardson, 70-68, in overtime

17.  Curie, Chicago (19-1)

Previous: 17.

Low-down: Defeated Hazelwood Central (Florissant, Mo.), 64-9, at the Orr Breast Cancer Awareness in Chicago. It was revealed the Condors will host Harlan in the Chicago Public League Tournament first round on Feb. 4. The final is Feb. 16.

18. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (25-3)

Previous: 18.

Low-down: Jamal West put up 15 points and 11 rebounds and Ace Baldwin tossed in 13 points to defeat Poly (Baltimore), 57-53, at William Wells Classic in Baltimore

Also, the Panthers improved to 11-1 in MIAA A Conference play with two wins last week.

19. Etiwanda, Calif. (21-2)

Previous: 21.

Low-down: Defeated league opponents Chino Hills, 60-30, and Los Osos (Rancho Cucamonga), 72-47. The Eagles finally get a test this weekend at the Nike Extravaganza against Westchester (Los Angeles) Saturday in Santa Ana.

20. Camden, N.J. (13-1)

Previous: 22.

Low-down: Kentucky-bound forward Lance Ware  provided 17 points and 10 rebounds and Jerome Brewer popped in 15 points as the Panthers beat Roselle Catholic, 63-51. Camden’s 17-5 run in the third quarter was the difference.

21. The Patrick School, Hillside, N.J. (10-5)

Previous: 24.

Low-down: Adama Sanogo scored 21 points and ripped down 10 boards in a 76-33 defeat of Olympus Prep (Williamstown).  The depleted Celtics have three games this week capped by a showdown at rivals Roselle Catholic Saturday. Still no return date for 6-9 junior forward Jonathan Kuminga.

22. Rancho Christian, Temecula, Calif. (20-5)

Previous: 19.

Low-down: Defeated Poly (Riverside), 73-71, at the Rancho Christian Eagle Basketball Showcase. Oh, it’s official 7-foot Evan Mobley, a USC recruit and future NBA lottery pick, will play in the McDonald’s All American Game on April 1 in Houston, Texas.

23. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (15-6)

Previous: 25.

Low-down: Coach Steve Turner’s club rattled off three wins in the WCAC and have a league showdown with St. John’s College (Washington) on Tuesday and travel to California for a game with No. 22 Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.) Saturday at the Nike Extravaganza.

24. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (16-3)

Previous: 23.

Low-down:

Lost to top-ranked Montverde (Fla.) Academy, 83-47, in the Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament final. In the semifinals, the Crusaders topped La Crosse (Wis.) Central, 66-61, but dressed only nine players. Next up is Green Tech (Albany) Saturday.

25. Scotlandville, Baton Rouge, La. (25-3)

Previous: 21.

Low-down: Took third place at the Montverde (Fla.) Academy Invitational Tournament, thrashing La Crosse (Wis.), 69-46. The Hornets are a loss from being dropped.

Dropped: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia (14-2)
2. Archbishop Wood, Warminster, Pa. (13-4)
3. St. Raymond, Bronx, N.Y. (13-3)
4. Cardozo, Bayside, N.Y. (20-0)
5. Polytechnic Institute, Baltimore (12-1)

Geography: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia.

Midwest

1. Collinsville, Ill. (21-0)
2. Eden Prairie, Minn. (15-0)
3. Moeller, Cincinnati (15-1)
4. Vashon, St. Louis (12-4)
5. Thornton, Harvey, Ill (21-0)

Geography: Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Southland

1. Moravian Prep, Hickory, N.C. (25-1)
2. Lancaster, Texas (24-2)
3. North Mecklenburg, Huntersville, N.C. (17-1)
4. Greensboro (N.C.) Day School (26-3)
5. Norcross, Ga. (22-2)

Geography: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

Far West

1. Eastside Catholic, Sammamish, Wash. (15-1)
2. St. Anthony, Long Beach, Calif. (25-1)
3. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (18-3)
4. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (18-5)
5. O’Dea, Seattle (12-3)

Geography: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

About: The Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Boys’ Basketball Rankings are released weekly from November until the conclusion of the high school season in April. Criteria considered are the quality of the team and its players, strength of schedule, tradition, and quality of the team’s league, conference, region or district. The rankings are compiled by Blue Star Media’s Christopher Lawlor, who consults with a national network of coaches, talent evaluators and prep sports writers. The final rankings will be released in April. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.