For the SGS Girls, the AEWON PPE Interschool Basketball Tournament 2026 marked another important step in their basketball journey. This was the third consecutive year that St George's School entered a Girls' team in the competition.
Students from Years 7 to 11 came together to represent SGS, bringing together players who have been part of the team since 2024, returning players from last year's squad and four new players experiencing interschool competition for the first time.
With six schools competing in the Girls' category, the teams were divided into two groups of three. SGS was placed in Group A, alongside International School Brunei (ISB) and Maktab Duli. With only two preliminary-round matches, every game was important.
Game 1: SGS vs Maktab Duli
The Girls' first match was against Maktab Duli. SGS fought throughout the game but eventually finished with 27 points against Maktab Duli's 69. The result meant the team would need to regroup, learn from the game and prepare for their final group match.
Game 2: SGS vs ISB
The second match brought SGS up against ISB. The final score was 19–73, with ISB taking the win. With two losses from two preliminary matches, SGS finished 3rd in Group A and did not advance to the semi-finals.
But the story of this team goes beyond the final score.
A Familiar Face Returns
During the second match against ISB, the girls received coaching support from Dk Thaliya Naveen, a former student of St George's School and last year's Girls Team Captain. With the team's main coach unavailable, Thaliya stepped in to help coach the girls during the match.
Her involvement was especially meaningful because she had already contributed to the Girls' training during this year's preparation. Having a former SGS student return to support the next generation of players was a wonderful reminder that the SGS community continues beyond graduation. Thaliya knows what it means to represent SGS, and her experience and encouragement provided valuable support to the team during an important match.
Looking Beyond the Scoreboard
The final score against ISB was 19–73. However, a closer look at the numbers provides an interesting perspective.
In their respective matches against ISB, SGS scored 19 points, compared with Maktab Duli’s 15 points. At the other end of the court, ISB scored 73 points against SGS, while scoring 83 points against Maktab Duli.
While SGS did not win the match, these figures show an encouraging aspect of the team's performance. Against the same opponent, SGS scored more points and conceded fewer points than Maktab Duli did. For a developing team, progress is not always measured by the final result. It can also be seen in the details — stronger defensive plays, better communication, improved positioning, successful rebounds and the determination to keep fighting until the final whistle.
Players to Watch
Leading the Girls' team was co-captains Julliana of Year 9B and Niquolle of Year 11B. They were joined by Yoshrina of Year 9A, who also made important contributions throughout the tournament. Altogether, Julliana, Niquolle, and Yoshrina scored 26 points, 8 points and 6 points, respectively. Together with the rest of the squad, they helped carry SGS through another year of girls' interschool basketball.
More Than the Final Score
The SGS Girls' campaign ended after the preliminary rounds, but their journey was about more than qualification for the semi-finals. It was about continuing a programme that has now entered its third year, about giving four new players their first taste of interschool basketball, about returning players building on their previous experience, and it was also about seeing an SGS alumna return to the sideline to support the next generation.
The final standings may show 5th out of 6 participating schools, but they cannot capture every lesson learned, every defensive stand, every encouraging word between teammates or every moment of growth.
The Girls have another year of experience behind them.
And the SGS Interschool Basketball story isn't over yet.
NEXT: FOUR GAMES. TWO WINS. ONE TOUGH GROUP.
The SGS Boys take the court against four different schools in their battle for a place in the semi-finals. All in Part 3