St George Basketball has officially kicked off its 2026 representative season, promising an exciting year of competitive basketball across all levels. This year, the Men’s Waratah League has split into North and South divisions, and the Men’s White team is making waves with its strong Greek heritage presence both on and off the court.
Men’s White Team leading the charge
Head Coach George Aliferis and Manager Tony Trikillis have guided a talented roster that includes Loukas Triantis, sponsored by Bacino Bar; Christopher Trikillis, sponsored by Jas Transport; Ross Aliferis, sponsored by Valsamis & Associates; Nicholas Alexander; and Yianni Trikillis, sponsored by Kids Kapers.
Despite being in the third highest league of New South Wales basketball, the team has already shown that they have the skill, resilience, and team culture to compete at a high level.
A season of highs and determination
The season opened with a tough 74–47 loss to Hills Hornets in Round 1, offering lessons and motivation for the squad. St George bounced back in spectacular fashion the following weekend when they hosted the Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders, a team that has historically proven a challenging opponent.
With Christopher Trikillis and Ross Aliferis unavailable due to injury, the team demonstrated depth and determination. Trailing 35–31 at halftime, St George came out firing in the third quarter. Experience and leadership from Loukas Triantis and Yianni Trikillis allowed the team to control the tempo, make smart on-court decisions, and build momentum.
By the end of the third quarter, St George led 57–48, setting up a thrilling final quarter. Composed play and teamwork ultimately secured a 72–65 victory, marking a significant turnaround and a testament to the squad’s persistence.
Head Coach George Aliferis said, “I could not be prouder of the players. We have had a long pre-season and a horrible run of player sbeing injured. The players have all worked extremely hard. Every player made a difference, but the leadership and working partnership shown by Loukas Triantis and Yianni Trikillis was amazing.”
Standout performances
Standout performances include Yianni Trikillis with 32 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and Loukas Triantis with 18 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 1 steal.
The game highlighted not only individual brilliance but the value of teamwork and leadership, particularly in high-pressure moments.
Strong results across the Association
The success was not limited to the Men’s White team. St George Basketball has celebrated victories across multiple grades:
- Youth League Men Red: Defeated Parramatta Chargers 85–69
- U14 Boys: Defeated Norths Bears 63–47
- U16 Boys White: Defeated Hills Hornets 77–65
- U18 Boys Red: Defeated Hawkesbury Jets 83–73
- U18 Boys Grey: Narrowly defeated Parramatta Chargers 85–84
- U18 Girls: Defeated Blacktown Storm 56–48
These results reflect the depth of talent and commitment throughout the association, highlighting St George Basketball’s dedication to developing strong, skilled, and united teams at every level.
Looking ahead
As the 2026 season continues, St George Basketball is building momentum, with players, coaches, and supporters rallying together to proudly represent the association. With skill, determination, and team spirit at the core, SGBA is aiming for another memorable year on the court.
