February 24th, 2013. Upper Darby, Pa. – The GOYA basketball season concluded yesterday with 4 games; two consolation and 2 championships. Playing to a packed St. Demetrios gymnasium of family, friends and parishioners, cheering fans showed much enthusiasm for each of their church teams. From as far away as Egg Harbor (Atlantic city, NJ) to Middletown, (Media Pa.) they lined the walls of the biggest gym in the league. The 5 hour event, kept hungry fans visiting the snack bar where they filled their bellies with the famed “St. Demetrios Spanakopita” they have become recognized for.
In game one, the “St. Demetrios” girls of Upper Darby and “Evangelismos” girls of Philadelphia traded baskets till the very end, where St. Demetrios came out on top by a score of 15-14. The boys third place game was nearly a route at the end of the 1st half, but became a decisive victory for the boys of Evangelismos (Philadelphia) who beat St. George (Greek Orthodox church, Media) 48-34.
CHAMPIONSHIPS BREAK DOWN
Holy Trinity 24, St. Luke 12
The championship girls game between “St. Luke” of Broomall, Pa. and “Holy Trinity” of Egg Harbor, NJ. featured two fierce contenders. The Holy Trinity girls, arguable one of the best coached teams in the league, have played consistently all season and managed to hold on to 1st place the whole year. St. Luke on the other hand, gelled as a team late into the season and built it’s confidence with a lot of hard fought victories. They showed great tenacity and effort against Holy Trinity, staying close the entire 1st half. But late in to the 3rd quarter, Holy Trinities consistency through out the year shined through and their tough defensive play carried they day and gave them the victory over St. Luke.
Elkins Park, 51, Holy Trinity 47 (OT)
Can you say “REPEAT”? Well the “Elkins Park”(Annunciation Greek Orthodox church) boys said it and did it. Arguable one of the best games of the year, the Elkins Park Champion boys basketball team did it again. Their lightning speed point guards, Jimmy and George Armentani outpaced the Egg Harbor boys and kept “Holy Trinity” (Greek Orthodox church) running up and down the court through out the game. Although Holy Trinity led the whole way through the game, this was due to Vasil Stoimenov’s ability to turn on his talents when needed. But Stephan Zoubroulis of Elkins Park proved to be the difference. His late three point plays and aggressive efforts on the boards, forced Holy Trinities Vasil Stoimenov, to foul out with less than 2 minutes to play. This gave Elkins Park the opportunity to catch up at the end of regular game play. During overtime, Elkins Park’s fast breaks, rebounding, and a few extra made foul shots were the difference in the end, giving “Elkins Park” their second championship in a row.