Basketball (Boys) | 12/30/2024 2:48:00 PM

The Cathedral Catholic boys basketball team showcased their resilience and talent during the Holiday Classic hosted by Torrey Pines, finishing 2-1 in the American Division. The tournament featured thrilling matchups, including an overtime battle, a rematch victory, and an impressive offensive display to close things out.

The Dons opened the tournament with a nail-biter against San Marcos, ultimately falling 64-71 in overtime. Despite trailing 31-28 at halftime, Cathedral surged in the third quarter to take a slim lead into the fourth. San Marcos fought back to tie the game in regulation and outpaced the Dons in overtime. Senior "PJ" Paul Jourdain Jr led the way with 25 points, while Patrick O'Brien recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, along with four assists. Steven Evans-Glynn III added 18 points, and junior Kai Carlson dominated the boards with nine rebounds.

In the second game, Cathedral avenged an earlier season loss to La Jolla Country Day with a decisive 73-60 victory. O'Brien exploded for 21 points, hitting two three-pointers and going 7-of-9 from the free throw line, while also grabbing seven rebounds. Jourdain added 19 points, including three triples, and Evans-Glynn contributed 10 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. The Dons' balanced attack and improved defensive effort secured the win.

The tournament concluded with a high-scoring 88-75 win over Temecula Valley, where the Dons put on an offensive clinic. Jourdain was unstoppable with 22 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, while O'Brien added another 21 points, including four three-pointers, along with seven rebounds and five assists. Evans-Glynn posted a double-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, and Tyler Hanlon made his presence felt with 11 points, including three triples.

With the victory, the Dons improved to 9-5 on the season and now turn their attention to the Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona. They will face Mountain View (Mesa, AZ) on Thursday, January 2, in what promises to be another exciting challenge.

The Dons are riding high and ready to make waves as they continue their impressive season.