After nearly two decades leading Penn-Trafford girls basketball, John Giannikas stepped down from the position this weekend.

“I just made the decision to step down because I didn't want to miss my son or daughter's games next year,” he revealed. “I was lucky enough to not miss any of my son's games the last couple years, but it's just about impossible to work around both of their schedules. I know I won't get that time back if I miss their games.”

Giannikas’s son, Stefano, plays for the Norwin boys basketball team, while his daughter, Guiliana, will begin her high school career with the Knights next season.

Giannikas, a 1990 Woodland Hills grad, achieved considerable success during his tenure guiding the Warriors. He compiled an overall record of 273-176 over 19 campaigns, highlighted by a WPIAL Class Quad-A Championship in 2014. He also coached three 1,000-point scorers.

“We accomplished so many tremendous things, such as the five section titles and WPIAL title. But the best is the relationships built for life with the fantastic players, and everyone else involved in the program. They are all like my extended family,” the veteran coach detailed.

“I'll miss the everyday interactions with our players, coaches, the other PT coaches who we had a great relationship with, and the interactions with opposing coaches who we had great games against - but also became great friends off the court,” Giannikas added.

This past season, he guided the Warriors to their first undefeated regular season, at 22-0. In the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs, PT was edged by Thomas Jefferson in overtime in the quarterfinals. The Warriors rebounded for a pair of wins in the consolation bracket, finishing in fifth place in the WPIAL. Penn-Trafford’s season ended with a loss to Middleton in the first round of the PIAA bracket, concluding the campaign with a mark of 25-2, establishing a new PT record for wins in a season.

“There wasn't a luckier coach than me to be surrounded by such tremendous people - players and all the adults who helped with the program. I always will be proud to have been coach of this team for 19 years and to wear green and gold,” Giannikas said.