Basketball (Boys) | 1/8/2025 10:28:00 AM

The Cathedral Catholic boys basketball team traveled to Arizona for the Nike Tournament of Champions from January 2-4, delivering thrilling performances and finishing with a 2-1 record. The Dons displayed grit, resilience, and teamwork, starting the tournament with an unforgettable overtime victory and ending with a commanding win.

The Dons opened with a heart-stopping 60-59 overtime win against Mountain View (Mesa, AZ). Trailing after the first quarter, Cathedral surged in the second to take a slim halftime lead. The teams battled evenly through regulation, setting up a dramatic overtime finish. Senior "PJ" Paul Jourdain Jr led the charge with a stellar 27 points, including five three-pointers, along with eight steals. Patrick O'Brien posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Kai Carlson contributed seven points and six rebounds in the gritty win.

In their second game, the Dons fell 64-68 to Liberty High School (Henderson, NV) in a hard-fought contest. Steven Evans-Glynn III delivered a strong performance with 16 points, five rebounds, and four steals. Jourdain nearly recorded a triple-double with 14 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, while O'Brien added 15 points and eight rebounds. Despite their efforts, Liberty's offense proved too much down the stretch.

Cathedral closed out the tournament in dominant fashion, defeating Timpanogos (Orem, UT) 80-59. After falling behind early, the Dons roared back with huge second and third quarters, holding Timpanogos to just eight points in the third with stifling defense. Jourdain continued his hot streak, while the entire team contributed to a balanced and explosive offensive effort.

With a 2-1 finish, the Dons leave the Nike Tournament of Champions at 11-6 on the season. They return home with momentum and valuable experience as they continue their campaign. Cathedral's blend of high-powered offense and relentless defense makes them a team to watch moving forward.