🇬🇷SPORTS NEWS🇺🇸

Kristen Lappas Dinallo just released the new film that she directed on NBA star Giannis

Antetokounmpo’s life. The documentary Giannis: The Marvelous Journey premiered last week on Amazon Prime. Lappas captured the true story of the immigrant Antetokounmpo family their struggles, hard work, and their success. Kristen focused on the sacrifices that Gianni's father and mother made for their four sons emigrating from Nigeria to Greece.

Kristen Lappas drew inspiration from her grandfather Tom Lappas who immigrated to America and worked numerous hours at a floral shop for his family. She had an understanding from her Papou’s sacrifice for family and was able to make a real connection with Gianni's journey in life.

Kristen Lappas is the daughter of Steve and Harriet Lappas. Kristen is married to Russell

Dinallo. Legendary Coach Steve Lappas her dad spent 17 seasons coaching Division 1 basketball and her brother Pete is an Assistant Basketball Coach at New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Kristen is an amazing filmmaker and storyteller. She has twice won Emmys for outstanding sports documentaries Blackfeet Boxing: Not Invisible and A Mountain to Climb.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is in his tenth season in the NBA and is the world’s greatest basketball player and has been an inspiration to millions of people worldwide. You can view the trailer on YouTube and view the film on Amazon Prime now. 

Seattle natives, John Christofilis and Niko Fotopoulos are both members of Seattle

University's Division One basketball team. Two Greek-Americans earning spots on the highest level of College basketball play in the world is simply amazing. The Seattle

Hometown hero: John Christofilis stands at 6-3 195 pounds. Cristofilis has been

incredible averaging 14 points per game. Just last night John shot lights out, torching the

defense with 32 mega points scored vs Utah Tech, Also 25 points vs Southern Utah, 22 vs

U of Texas, 19 points vs Grand Canyon and 18 pts vs Prairie View just to note a few

performances! A talented Guard shooting 40% from the 3-point line & 77% from the

Foul line. In addition, in two seasons at Creighton, Christofilis was a member of two

20-plus win teams and back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, including a run to

the Elite Eight this past year. John is studying Communications and Media. We at G-A-S

are sure that numerous professional Greek basketball teams will have their eye on John

Christofilis, a lights out shooter who plays every possession with the heart of a Spartan

warrior.

Niko Fotopoulos, a talented Guard interestingly enough, is also from Seattle, Washington.

Niko is pictured above wearing the Greek flag proudly to the University's D1 Media day! It is so fantastic to see the Hometown Heroes John & Niko suiting up and wearing their hometown Seattle University's uniform. Niko Fotopoulos stands at 6-3 175 pounds. A Red Shirt Freshman who has remained relentless in his passion for Basketball overcoming injury and playing with great effort. Niko was a Star at Bishop Blanchet HS (Seattle, WA) where he averaged 20 points, 4 rebounds, 3.8 assists in an undefeated playoff feat. Niko had numerous Division One & D2 basketball offers however chose to attend the notable St. Thomas More prep school post grad where he improved his game and played with the best HS prospects. Nikos dream is to play professional basketball in Greece then open a franchise of restaurants. Niko works for the family restaurant in the off season and a fun fact Niko even led his Greek Orthodox church team to a national championship. Niko is studying Business & Economics. Fotopoulos and Christofilis are cousins.

Athan Berchos is a 6-foot-1-inch sharpshooting point guard for Andrew High School in suburban Chicago. Berchos a junior has quickness, good ball-handling skills, and shoots lights out. He has the ability to take over a game with his amazing three-point shooting ability.

Athan is a good student-athlete with a 4.1 GPA and is a member of The National Honor Society. Also, Athan is on the Andrew High School Varsity Athletic Leadership Team. His other extracurricular activities include the Greek Club, German Club, and Student Council.

The Greek community is a big part of his life. Athan is an Altar boy at Saint Constantine and Helen in Palos Hills, and a member of GOYA.

Greg Kitsou former professional player in Greece is Athan’s UAA circuit Breakaway Basketball Coach. Athan will be playing in this year’s NHIBT in Chicago. Watch this video of Athan playing against one of the best teams in Illinois Homewood Flossmoor. Athan was sizzling scoring 32 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 7 3-pointers, and shot his free throws like sweet loukoumia 7 out of 8. 

Click the Video on the right to watch Athan's incredible shooting ability!

In the trenches of high school football where grit meets determination, Gregorios

Papantoniadis has carved out a legacy that is as formidable as his 6-foot, 290-pound frame. The offensive lineman powerhouse, bound for Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire with ambitions of mastering Business Accounting, hails from the competitive fields of Westwood High School. For four relentless years, Papantoniadis has donned his school's colors, upholding an unwavering commitment to excellence both on the gridiron and in the classroom. Despite the rollercoaster performance of his team suffering a disheartening 2-9 season in his sophomore year, before rallying to a respectable 6-5 the following year Papantoniadis's rise to prominence was unstoppable. 

Elevated to varsity as a mere sophomore, he quickly became an indomitable force, anchoring his position as a starter and eventually being honored as the senior captain. Under his leadership, Westwood High School shattered expectations, clinching the TVL Championship with a triumphant 7-3 record, their finest in recent memory, and marking their first championship victory in a decade. His accolades, including Senior All-Star and Lineman of the Year, are a testament to the relentless work ethic and dedication Papantoniadis brings to the field. Yet, beneath the helmet and pads, Gregorios remains deeply rooted in his heritage, drawing strength and inspiration from his hometown of Krya Vrysi a place where family ties and traditions run deep. 

The memory of his late grandfather, who passed away in 2020, fuels his ambition. Striving to honor his legacy, Papantoniadis embodies the resilience and pride of his Greek lineage, aiming to make his family proud, both on and off the field.

Lucas Karampelas is a 15-year-old freshman at the Fulton Innovation Academy

in Alpharetta, Georgia. The Academy is a STEM-focused charter school where

students specialize in either engineering, healthcare science or information

technology. As the Academy does not have a soccer team, Lucas is allowed to

play for his home high school, Milton. Lucas is the starting striker on the

MHS JV soccer team, which is currently undefeated, and where he is second on

the team in scoring. Lucas also is a starting forward for the Concorde Fire

Premier ECNL club team in Smyrna, GA. Lucas has been involved in numerous

Greek community events, including the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical

Festival, St. Stephen’s Camp in South Carolina, the Queen City Classic

Basketball Tournament in Charlotte, and the Atlanta Winter Youth Rally,

where he captained his Bible Bowl Team to a 1st place finish in December.

Lucas also serves as an Acolyte at Holy Transfiguration (Marietta) and is a

member of the parish’s GOYA and youth Greek dance troupe. Lucas is a

prolific YouTuber (@lucaskicks09), where he documents his journey in club

soccer as well as following his favorite team, Liverpool FC. Lucas is

bilingual in English and Spanish. He has been taking Greek lessons via Zoom

with his Papou and is learning French in high school. Lucas has an older

sister Sophia and a younger brother Nicholas.

This year will be the 128th running of the historic Boston Marathon. Have you ever

wanted to participate in the world’s oldest and most famous marathon? Now you can, and at the same time help our college aged students find their roots where the Marathon was born! Currently, the AHEPA Global project is to send students of Hellenic descent to Greece through the “Journey to Greece” program to study, earn college credits, and get reacquainted with their rich Greek heritage with their tuition absolutely free! This year you can do both. After four attempts, I am happy to announce that I have qualified to run this year’s Boston Marathon on Patriot’s Day, April 15. I have proudly represented AHEPA in my five previous Marathon finishes. It’s been a life goal for me to run Boston, which has now come to fruition, and I want you to join me too! I won’t win the Boston Marathon as the Greek national running hero Stylianos Kyriakides did in 1946, but with your help we can send some of our young adults to Greece to earn college credits as they learn and connect to their Greek culture! Beginning February 20, 2024, please make a donation to the AHEPA “Journey to Greece” program to help defer the tuition costs for AHEPA’S Family future, our young adults. In return, I will print your name or Chapter on my custom-made AHEPA charity racing shirt which I will wear during my running of the 2024 Boston Marathon! With a tax-deductible donation of $100 per individual or $500 per Chapter or group, you can accompany me from the Start in Hopkinton, MA to the Finish in Boston and help our valuable students simultaneously! Thanks, President Chris Trakas and members of Athens Chapter No. 24 of Boston started the charity run with a $500 donation. 100% of your donation will go the “Journey to Greece” program. This limited time offer expires on March 25, 2024. 

Don’t delay; Do it today! Help educate our youth! A Megalo Euxapisto!

Make your check out to: 

AHEPA “Journey to Greece” (In the memo, write “Boston Marathon”)

Send to: 

AHEPA Global Headquarters, 1909 Q Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20009

This limited time offer expires on March 25, 2024. Don’t delay; Do it today!

Thank You for your support!

Craig A. Theros, PSG

AHEPA “Journey to Greece” Program Co-Chairman

Every Kuriakee ON AIR WNTN Grecian Echoes WNTN1550AM from Boston “The Athens of

America” The one and only Greek-America Sports show “THE BENCHWARMERS” Hosted

by Greek radio legend Ted Demetriades, Bill Galatis, Nick Ypsilantis, and Nick

Markopoulos.

The Thirteenth Annual AHEPA MARROW National Basketball Tournament will kick off the

Greek tournament basketball tour season March 13th-17th in Chicago. AHEPA Bone Marrow Registry will take place Call Dr. John Venetos MD Chairman can be contacted at 847-975-1114 or Email: SAMV5161@aol.com For more information: www.ahepamarrow.org

The 94th NHIBT-National Hellenic Invitational Basketball Tournament will take place in

Chicago on March 20-24th, for High School and Senior Divisions. The tournament will be here before you know it. NHIBT President Dr. Peter Petrovas is urging leaders to enter a team from their community. Treasurer/Director Frank Korbos is waiting for your call at 708-691-8500. OLI MAZH STO CHICAGO! OPAH! You Can stay a day extra and celebrate Greek Independence on March 25th.

The 78th Harry Agganis Basketball Tournament has announced the tournament will take place April 5-7, at the Saint George Community Center in Lynn, Massachusetts.

The 14th Teddy K Classic in memory of Teddy Kariotis will be the last of the Greek Hoop

Tournaments Tour. The tournament attracts over 30 teams to Hellenic College in Brookline, Massachusetts. Director Tony Kariotis can be reached at 617-590-8051. The tournament will be held on May 8-12 in the “Athens of America” Boston.

What number was Detroit Lions defensive lineman NFL Hall of Famer Alex Karras?

The answer was Alex Karras wore the number 71.

Winners-Philip Rokas, New York, and Tom Vrilakis, Minnesota. Congrats! Sinharitiria!

GAS has truly been overwhelmed with your overwhelming support. A BiG ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΩ to all our GAS fans who have helped our grassroots initiative. A MEGALO  thank you to Kansas City star George Karlaftis for his Shout Out to GAS and Long Live Hellas! Ζήτω η Ελλάδα!We are all so proud of you! Two time Super Bowl winner George Karlaftis video was viewed by over 23,000 GAS fans. Please keep sharing our posts. Greek American Sports salutes the achievements of our ancestors modern and ancients.Especially the sacrifices of The Heroes of 1821 should never be forgotten.

The spirit of Hellenism, our deep sense of community, love for Greek youth and athletes has driven this national community grassroots effort. We have launched the first ever GAS/Kosmos effort and we have kept our promise to fulfill our mission statement. We will keep working and fighting to deliver GAS to every Greek American Sports fan. So pick up your telephono and check us out right now! We hope your community takes on our GAS Sports Challenge and sends us your  community sports video.  GAS would love to see your community sports video. Thanks for the high school submissions this week from Georgia, Illinois, and Massachusetts.

GAS has already connected athletes throughout the United States with each other through our GAS Instagram, as well as received wonderful feedback from parents and elderly grandparents who have commented how proud they are of their grandchildren from the U.S.A. and Greece.