On the weekend of April 2^nd, 2005, over 30 women participated in the second annual DC-area YAL basketball tournament at St. George's Greek Orthodox Church. The tournament featured four solid teams competing for the trophy with the champion Team Black, led by Yianna Patronas and Koula Strosnider, posting a 3-0 record in the first day of round robin competition to capture the top seed in Sunday’s championship game. Team Blue, mostly comprised of St. Katherine's high school seniors, finished the first day with a strong 2-1 record, and managed to stay close with Team Black for the first half of Sunday’s championship game but Team Black eventually won by 20. Last year’s champion, Team Red led by Gabby Sakellarides and Despina Marafatsos, finished the first day with a 1-2 record, playing strong despite only having four players for their first game of the day. Team White, featuring Eleni Nacos and Jen Liapis, put up strong numbers in the majority of their games, but had to settle for a 0-3 record and a spot in the consolation game against Team Red. Team Red with Marafatsos picking up a questionable fifth foul with minutes left in the second half was still able to pull it out over Team White, despite finishing the game like they started the tournament, with only four players.

With another successful tournament the YAL women look to future opportunities to participate in basketball events. There’s interest in forming a Women's Greek League, attending tournaments throughout the east coast, and hosting future home tournaments in the DC area, as well as continuing basketball practices each week. If any women in the DC/Baltimore area are interested in participating in future Women's basketball events please contact Eleni Nacos at [email protected]  or Gabby Sakellarides at [email protected]  for more information.

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