Basketball Game Preview: Hampton Roads Academy Navigators vs. Nansemond-Suffolk Academy Saints

Hampton Roads Academy is 2-8 against Nansemond-Suffolk Academy since January of 2017 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Thursday. The Hampton Roads Academy Navigators will face off against the Nansemond-Suffolk Academy Saints at 5:30 p.m. Hampton Roads Academy is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 54.5 points per game this season.

Last Tuesday, everything went Hampton Roads Academy's way against Cape Henry Collegiate as Hampton Roads Academy made off with a 49-28 victory. Given the Navigators' advantage in MaxPreps' Virginia basketball rankings (they are ranked 39th, while the Dolphins are ranked 158th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Hampton Roads Academy relied on the efforts of Kenzie Cooper, who almost dropped a double-double on 24 points and nine boards, and Zuriel Pendleton-Morant, who posted ten points along with seven steals and five rebounds. Cooper is on a roll when it comes to rebounds, as she's now pulled down nine or more in the last four games she's played. Another player making a difference was Nalani Carter, who had six points and 14 boards.

Hampton Roads Academy smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 15 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least 12 offensive rebounds in nine consecutive games.

Meanwhile, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy was not able to break out of their rough patch on Tuesday as the team picked up their fifth straight loss. They took a blow against Norfolk Collegiate, falling 61-30.

Hampton Roads Academy's win was their fourth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 15-2. Those victories came thanks to their defensive effort, having only surrendered 22.5 points per game. As for Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, their defeat dropped their record down to 3-7.

Everything came up roses for Hampton Roads Academy against Nansemond-Suffolk Academy in their previous matchup back in January of 2024, as the team secured a 59-19 victory. The rematch might be a little tougher for Hampton Roads Academy since the squad won't have the home-court advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.