The St Dominic’s College A Grade Basketball Team.  Photo supplied.

THE ‘Knox Invitational’ stands as one of the most fiercely contested high school basketball tournaments in the Sydney area. Since its inception in 2018, it has evolved into an annual sporting spectacle, and this year celebrated its 6th consecutive edition.

Notably, this year also marked the inaugural invitation to St. Dominic’s College, and the outstanding school basketball team of 2023 rose to the occasion, leaving a lasting impression on spectators as they emerged undefeated in a competition known for its intensity.

The St Dominic’s squad, comprising students from years 10 – 12, showcased its dominance in the tournament’s top division, over the course of the two-day event, defeating St. Aloysius College (48-42), Waverley College (68-60), Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview (80-64), and Knox Grammar School (57-55) in pool A. These impressive wins propelled St Dominic’s to the Final, where they faced off against Barker College and emerged victorious with a score of 57-47.

St Dominic’s was guided by the leadership of Noah and Jett, whilst other standout players included fellow Year 12 students William and Sebastian, Year 11 students Tiare, Mabok, Boulis, Deng and Mitch, along with Year 10 student Chase. Despite contending with multiple injuries, the squad displayed remarkable unity and selflessness on the court and their exceptional performance stood out in a competition featuring some of Sydney’s most prestigious private schools.

Mabok’s impressive contributions also earned him a nomination in the All Star Five by the competition organisers, thanks to his consistent three-point shooting and strong play throughout the tournament.