As the new year approaches, the Delaware Valley GOYA Basketball League has already reached its midpoint.
Now in its 34th season, the league continues to bring together GOYAns from across the region, from the Philadelphia suburbs to South Jersey. Every Sunday, players return to the court not just to compete, but to represent their parishes and stay connected through the game.
This year also marked a small but meaningful expansion. A Junior Varsity division was added, giving younger players a place to develop and keeping the pipeline of participation strong.
With the season underway since October and playoffs set to begin in February, here’s where things stood as of December 15, 2013.
Boys Division
Annunciation Elkins Park (5–0)
Elkins Park hasn’t slowed down. With just one loss over the past three seasons, they remain the standard in the league. Led by Laz Makrides, Stef Zoubroulis, and George Armentani, and coached by Yianni Fisfis, they continue to win with pace and scoring depth. Back-to-back wins over Egg Harbor and Evangelismos reinforced what most already expected. They are still the team to beat.
Holy Trinity Egg Harbor (5–1)
A year after falling short in the championship, Egg Harbor looks focused. League MVP Vasil Stoimenov continues to control games, but the return of Roman Papademetriou has added balance. Strong defense and transition play carried them through five straight wins before their loss to Elkins Park. A late-season matchup with Evangelismos could preview a playoff meeting.
Evangelismos Philadelphia (5–1)
Size defines this team. Antonio and Konstantinos Nakos, along with Elias Apsis, anchor a physical presence that few teams can match. Combined with disciplined defense and Dylan Kanter’s scoring ability, Evangelismos remains firmly in the title conversation despite an early loss to Elkins Park.
St. George Media 1 (2–2)
Media continues to be a difficult matchup. With length in the frontcourt and steady guard play from Thomas Kopatsis, they’ve stayed competitive in every game. A narrow loss to Evangelismos showed they can challenge top teams, and they remain a potential spoiler.
St. Demetrios Upper Darby (1–3)
Their record doesn’t tell the full story. Opening against the league’s top teams made for a difficult start, but Upper Darby has shown resilience. Strong guard play from Anastasios Gjedede and consistent rebounding have kept them competitive. Their first win before the break could shift momentum.
St. Luke Broomall (1–4)
Broomall has struggled to close games, but the talent is there. Veterans Jason Demetris and Evan Palmieri, along with younger contributors, give them more depth than their record suggests. If they find consistency, they could still impact the playoff picture.
St. Thomas Cherry Hill (1–5)
Cherry Hill has leaned into size this season, with John Nutaitis strengthening the frontcourt. Close losses earlier in the season showed potential, and with balanced guard play, they remain in contention for a playoff spot.
St. George Media 2 (0–4)
The youngest group in the division has shown steady improvement. Despite the losses, their defensive effort and energy have stood out. Results may not reflect it yet, but the foundation is there.
Girls Division
St. Thomas Cherry Hill (5–1)
Cherry Hill has emerged as the early favorite. After just making the playoffs last year, they’ve taken a step forward with disciplined defense and strong guard play from Maria Kokolis. Their early wins over Egg Harbor and Evangelismos set the tone.
Evangelismos Philadelphia (4–1)
Physical and consistent, Evangelismos continues to rely on defense and size. Francesca Bogiatzis leads from the backcourt, while Marianna Zisis and Alexis Nakos anchor inside. Their only loss, a narrow one to St. Thomas, keeps them right in the title race.
Holy Trinity Egg Harbor 1 (4–1)
The defending champions recovered quickly after an early loss. Speed and defensive pressure, led by Despina Lianidis, remain their identity. With key games ahead, their playoff position is still wide open.
St. Demetrios Upper Darby (4–2)
After a slow start, Upper Darby has found its rhythm. A win over St. Thomas highlighted their potential. Irene Evangelopoulos continues to be one of the most reliable players in the league, giving them a strong inside presence.
Holy Trinity Egg Harbor 2 (3–2)
Egg Harbor’s second team has become one of the season’s surprises. With steady guard play and growing confidence, they are pushing for a playoff spot and could give the program multiple teams in contention.
St. Luke Broomall (2–3)
After starting 0–3, Broomall has turned things around. Quickness and improved team play have brought back-to-back wins, putting them back into the playoff conversation.
St. George Media 2 (0–3)
A difficult schedule has masked steady progress. Defensive effort remains strong, and the group continues to develop with each game.
St. George Media 1 (0–4)
Despite the record, Media has stayed competitive in nearly every game. Close losses suggest they are better than their standing and could still disrupt playoff matchups.
St. Demetrios Upper Darby 2 (0–5)
The youngest team in the division continues to improve. Close games toward the end of the schedule show growth that goes beyond wins and losses.
Looking Ahead
With a few weeks left in the regular season, most playoff spots are still unsettled. Some teams are already separating themselves, but others are just beginning to find their rhythm.
By February, the standings may look very different.