By CHARLIE PARENT
Cathedral Catholic (CA.) is a 13-time league champion, 12-time CIF champion and won a state championship back in 1998 with two-time NBA champion Luke Walton.
However, the Dons have yet to reach a state final since, and were 15-14 in their 2022-2023 campaign.
Just one year later, the program looks ready for a run to Sacramento once again.
A new head coach and all-new starting five has propelled Cathedral Catholic to an 8-3 start, reaching as high as No. 22 in the California state rankings.
Graham Bousley, a longtime college assistant who has worked under Greg Gard (at Wisconsin), Shaka Smart (at VCU) and Mike Rhoades (at Rice), among several other college programs, took over the Dons this offseason in his first official head coaching stint.
“Graham is highly intelligent and has such a great feel teaching the game,” Rhoades, who is now the head coach at Penn State, told ZAGSBLOG. “His kids will be lucky to have them in their lives. He’s a great leader that will connect everyone around his program. He treats people the right way.”
Bousley had his hands full early, as the Dons came into the season with an entirely new starting lineup featuring just one senior. But the young players have easily assimilated into the program and each other’s game.
“The best thing about taking over this program is the buy-in from all the students and their families,” Bousley said. “Being able to become a head coach of a program that I feel can be a powerhouse in high school basketball nationally was too good to pass up.
The Dons are highlighted by four key players, Ty Ingram, PJ Jourdain, Patrick O’Brien Jr. and Ryan Enos, all of whom have their own stories, contributions to the team and futures in basketball
Ingram, a sophomore transfer from San Ysidro High School, currently leads Cathedral Catholic in scoring with 18.6 points per game.
The 6-foot-3 guard dropped 40 points in 22 minutes earlier this season and has put up double-digit figures in every game this year.
Ingram’s dad was a legendary high school scorer in the San Diego as well, and Ty has tried to adapt his father’s mentality into his game.
As for his basketball future, Ingram has received interest from Notre Dame, Texas, Texas Tech, Florida, Virginia Tech, Arizona State, USC, Oregon, UCLA, Arizona, New Mexico and San Diego State.
“I think it’s really cool right now,” he said. “I’ve really been talking to Virginia Tech and New Mexico the most.”
The sharpshooting guard remains focused on every players assimilating with each other quickly.
“I expect us to be playing as a team,” he said. “People are trying to find their roles and we are staying focused.”
O’Brien is a junior captain and point guard for Cathedral Catholic, averaging 15.4 points, 5.3 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game on 54% shooting from the field.
The 6-foot-5 playmaker, who plays for Gamepoint AAU in the 3SSB Addidas circuit, was expecting the Dons’ start because of the work they put in this offseason.
“This is what we expected from the jump. We we did a lot of stuff in the offseason to prepare us for the season,” he said. “We lifted every day after school and had practice every day before school starting at 6 a.m. We played some good competition in Las Vegas at the Border League and then some good tournaments in Los Angeles that really has prepared us for basketball season.”
As for his playstyle, O’Brien cites his all-around game and playmaking.
“I’m a pass-first guy. I like to draw to hit the open guy for the three,” he said. “I can really guard one-through-five. I’m a bigger point guard and kind of like a point-forward type of player.”
“Pat O’Brien and Ty Ingram are dominant playmakers on our team,” said Bousley.
O’Brien strives to play Division I basketball, and has been in contact with Boise State, San Diego, Idaho and Boston University.
Before he reaches the college level, though, O’Brien thinks Cathedral Catholic can achieve greatness.
“We expect to have a ring on our finger by the end of the season,” he said. “We expect excellence. Coach Bousley holds us accountable for doing the right thing. And we’re never satisfied.”
Jourdain is the team’s second captain alongside O’Brien.
He’s currently an underrated Division I prospect to watch for in the 2025 cycle, averaging 14 points on 45% shooting and 5 rebounds per game.
“He’s an athletic combo guard who can really shoot the ball,” Bousley said. “He is just scratching the surface of how good he can become.”
While Jourdain’s goal is to play Division I, he remains locked in on Cathedral Catholic’s season and quick start.
“Now we are in a winning mindset, and we don’t feel like stopping anytime soon, he said. “We have plenty of time to gel together with good guys coming off the bench and just keeping the intensity up. This is a great start for us and we look to continue having a good season.”
Jourdain has been in contact with San Diego and Fullerton, among others, thus far.
Enos is the team’s big-man and anchor. Enos won’t be playing basketball at the next level becasue he’s committed to Grand Canyon for volleyball, though he continues to love the game and start for a high-caliber program
“Growing up, I wanted to go Division I for basketball, so I love the game of death. And I want to play through high school, especially senior year it’s super fun playing basketball.”
Like his teammates, Enos expects nothing but excellence this season.
I want to win a CIF championship and state championship, he said. “I want to be the best team in San Diego and continue winning.”
Even with extensive college experience, Bousley looks to instill leadership in his young players above all.
“I’m big on developing leadership, and my leadership philosophy is a three-step approach. It’s basically three core values (humility, reliability and dedication) that I feel also fit the mold of Cathedral Catholic and how to help grow and mature young men.”
Bousley, Ingram, Jourdain, O’Brien, Enos and the Cathedral Catholic squad will be back in action Dec. 22 against La Jolla Country Day (7-3).
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