By Dion Stergiopoulos
Round 3 of the Basketball NSW Mens Waratah League saw the St George Saints White hit the road for their first away game of the season as the faced off against the Central Coast Waves.
The Saints came into the game with a lot of momentum on the back of a first wins of the season after last weekend’s frantic home doubleheader.
The youthful Saints were looking to utilise their quickness and strong outside shooting that they demonstrated last week, against a vastly more experienced Central Coast side.
A slow start to the first half saw the Saints fight their way back to reduce the deficit to just ten points at half time, but they knew it would take a lot of grit and tenacity to be able to come away with the win.
The Waves piled on the points in the second half, going on a huge run to end the 3rd quarter up by 30 points.
The Saints continued to fight and grind despite the insurmountable deficit, keeping the 4th quarter very tight, however the Waves’ experience was too much for the youthful Saints to overcome, going down 125-90.
Saints head coach George Aliferis admitted post-game that the Saints’ carelessness on both sides of the ball was a major factor in the heavy loss.
“I was very disappointed with the result,” he said.
“The 20 turnovers didn’t help, and the foul count (26-14) certainly went against us, which didn’t allow us to get into any rhythm.”
Star players Jayden Tanevski and Yianni Trikillis shone yet again for the Saints with Tanevski notching up his third straight 30+ point game (averaging 33.6 ppg over the last three games) finishing with 30 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists.
Trikillis finished with 21 points (averaging 25 ppg to start the regular season), 3 rebounds and 5 assists.
The Saints battle to stay in the top 4 when they return home to face the Sutherland Sharks on Saturday 12 April at 6pm live from Hurstville Aquatic & Leisure Centre.
St George Saints Senior Reps results – 5 April 2025
Youth League Mens
- St George Saints Red 113 – 97 Dubbo Rams
- Marrickville Spirit 96 – 82 St George Saints White
Waratah League Mens
- Central Coast Waves 125 – 90 St George Saints White
St George Saints Senior Reps results – 6 April 2025
Youth League Mens
- St George Saints Red 92 – 95 Sydney Comets
Youth League Womens
- St George Saints 58 – 73 Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders
