For the duration of the season, The Washington Informer will feature our choices for the top five high school basketball programs in the greater Washington area, specifically the DCIAA (District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletic Association) and the WCAC (Washington Catholic Athletic Conference), for their efforts based upon win/loss record, strength of schedule and winning streak:
1. Theodore Roosevelt (17-2) (DCSAA)
The Roughriders secured their 10th consecutive win after taking down Ballou Senior High School (Washington, D.C.), 88-52, on Jan. 12.
Six-foot-four junior center Darius Buchanan led the way in the contest with 15 points, more than twice his season average of 6 ppg.
2. Gonzaga (12-1) (WCAC)
Gonzaga is still hot after defeating DeMatha Catholic High School (Hyattsville, Md.) 71-62 on Jan. 11 for its 12th win of the season.
Eagles senior forward Terrance Williams went off for a double-double, scoring 22 points and grabbing 10 rebounds against the Stags.
Williams currently leads Gonzaga in scoring so far this season (17.8 points per game) while senior forward Myles Dread and sophomore point guard Chuck Harris are averaging in double-figures per contest up to this point.
3. Thurgood Marshall Academy (11-6) (DCSAA)
Thurgood Marshall is on a two-game winning streak after dropping Paul Public Charter School (Washington, D.C.) by 35 points on Jan. 9 and Parkside High (Washington, D.C.) by 27 on Jan. 12.
Senior small forward Darius Richardson led his team in scoring with 23 points with eight rebounds and senior guard Savion Gallion scored 18 points against Parkside and accounted for six rebounds and two assists.
4. Dunbar (11-6) (DCSAA)
Dunbar dismantled Anacostia High School (Washington, D.C.), 65-19, on Jan. 10.
Senior guard Ahmad McKeithan led the Crimson Tide in scoring with 15 points, while senior Husain Mubah-Neal and junior Tyrek Simmons scored 10 points each.
Senior shooting point guard Rasheed Gatling leads Dunbar in scoring on the season, averaging over 16 ppg.
5. Woodrow Wilson (12-8) (DCSAA)
Woodrow Wilson defeated Capital Christian Academy (Upper Marlboro, Md.) in a gritty dogfight, 66-64, on Jan. 13.
Sophomore shooting guard Dimingus Stevens led the Tigers in scoring with 20 points, but it was the play of junior point guard Carlos Dunn that stole the show in the second half. Dunn, who finished the game with 15 points, scored seven in the fourth quarter, including a late go-ahead free throw, earning him MVP honors.
The Washington Informer Top 5 is strictly based upon the opinions of The Washington Informer sports division and will run throughout the duration of the DCIAA and WCAC basketball seasons.