The talent and passion from our school is bursting at the seams, from the arts departments, sports, robotics, and everything in between. It’s winter though, which means basketball is at large and in season.
Both the girls’ and boys’ teams have been doing well as the seniors are heading into some of the last games of their high school career.
Sports at Cathedral mean so much to its students and contribute a lot to kids’ development, dreams, and future. The game of basketball has shaped the lives of many here at Cathedral Catholic from those kids learning the game, those already experienced players, and coaches who have been at it their whole lives.
Basketball coach, mentor, and teacher at Cathedral, Coach Graham Bousley sat down with me and talked about his journey with basketball, how it affected his life, and how he tries to spread his wisdom to his students and team. “My first year in college, when I wasn’t a part of basketball I really missed it, and I haven’t been away from the game since,” Bousley stated solemnly. Reminiscing on his high school years of playing the game, he noted “that team chemistry, camaraderie, the competition, it really stuck with me.”
Bousley’s statements coincide with his decision to become a high school basketball coach. It’s a testament to the magic that comes from sports and the bonding with teammates that you’ll be friends with for life.
The coach stated that there’s something special about Cathedral’s players, especially the freshmen, “there’s a willingness and want to be a part of something special.” It attests to the range of talent of new players that there are freshman on the varsity and JV teams, alongside 2 freshmen teams. “It’s really all about playing hard and playing the right way…and trying to do that every possession.”
Girls varsity player, senior, and captain Maddie Moeller contributes to this dedication and love of the sport. She expressed, “It makes me happy, and I’m forever grateful for the memories and best friends it has brought me.”
As a senior, Moeller has begun to look at colleges and where she wants to spend the rest of her career as a player. The search is exhausting as it is for everyone, but Maddie found a home at Southwestern Oklahoma State. “When I went on my visit it felt like home, and I loved the coaches, players, and the school and program’s culture.” She committed to the college and is excited and hopeful for the continuation of her journey.
Moeller attests to these memories she made playing the sport and stated that her favorite memory was “winning CIF last year.” Thinking about her growth and change that’s happened since being a freshman, she urges younger students to “make the most out of every moment, because it goes by fast.”
Boys varsity player, senior, and captain PJ Jourdain has been an avid player since the day he first picked up a basketball. His successful career on the Cathedral team is only proof of his dedication to the sport. Jourdain claims that his times playing were the best on his “freshman year on JV. The team was great and I enjoyed playing basketball so much during that time.”
Being his last year on the team is bittersweet as he’s sorry to say goodbye to Cathedral, yet excited for this new chapter in his life. Jourdain has not yet committed to a college but is in the process of deciding what is going to be the right fit for him. He stated that “basketball has affected my life by giving me something to look forward to every day.”
The players at Cathedral love the sport and have spent ample amounts of time dedicated to training to play their best. The basketball teams really have given their all and the incoming freshmen are only going to make the future teams even better. Maybe there’s hope of another CIF from either the girls or boys team in the next few years after all.
Basketball has been a pillar in a lot of these kids’, coaches’, and people’s lives and will continue to be into their adulthood.
They may always miss these high school days at Cathedral where the community is as blessed and tight-knit as it is, but may they always keep hope for their futures as players, or as coaches. The perseverance and tenacity needed to keep your head in the game carries over to everyday life where bricks and rebounds are inevitable.
