Clovis, Calif - Cardinal Newman's High School boys basketball team showcased resilience and talent at the Clovis North Tournament this weekend, earning two impressive wins before falling in a nail-biting championship game against the host team.

Game 1: Dominance Over Redwood
Newman opened the tournament with a commanding 66-39 victory over Redwood (Visalia). Tatum Kurpinsky put on a shooting clinic, scoring 25 points, including an electric 7-for-9 performance from beyond the arc. Diego Flores Gonzales ran the offense with poise, recording a double-double with 12 points and 10 assists. Meanwhile, Mahdi Camara anchored the defense, contributing 7 points and grabbing 9 rebounds.

"Our energy on both ends was outstanding," said head coach Travis Taylor. "Tatum's shooting and Diego's playmaking set the tone."

Game 2: Battling to the Finals
In the semifinals, CN faced a tough Bullard squad but emerged with a 66-58 victory. While Kurpinsky added 15 points; hitting 5 threes, it was Camara who dominated the game, amassing 21 points and an astounding 18 rebounds. AJ Cole chipped in 10 points, and Cade Taylor provided crucial support with 11 points on a 3 for 3 shooting night beyond the arc .

"Mahdi was relentless," Taylor said. "His effort on the boards made a huge difference."

Championship Thriller
The championship game pitted Newman against Clovis North, ranked 26th in California. Despite Clovis North's high-powered offense, which had scored over 80 points in its first two games, Newman's defense held firm, keeping the Broncos to just 53 points in a tense contest.

Newman trailed 51-50 with under a minute remaining but had their chances. With 14 seconds left, Kurpinsky got a clean look from the corner, but his three-point attempt narrowly missed, hitting the back rim. A late Cardinal's foul sent Clovis North to the free-throw line, where they sank both shots to extend the lead to 53-50. 

"It was a tough one," said Taylor. "We could have—maybe should have—won, but I'm proud of our performance on the road against a very good team. We showed we can compete at the highest level."

Tourney Accolades

Despite the heartbreaking loss, Kurpinsky and Camara were named to the All-Tournament Team. Kurpinsky's sharpshooting and Camara's inside presence were instrumental in Newman's success throughout the weekend.

"Playing a team like Clovis North and being right there with them shows how far we've come," said Camara. "We'll learn from this and keep building."

With their strong performance against top level competition, Newman basketball proved they are a force to be reckoned with this season.

Coach Taylor added, "We had a successful weekend in Clovis. We played great competition and spent a lot of time together as a team."