Basketball Recap: Nansemond-Suffolk Academy Takes a Loss

After flying high against Christchurch School last Wednesday, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy came back down to earth. The Nansemond-Suffolk Academy Saints fell just short of the Norfolk Academy Bulldogs by a score of 65-62 on Friday. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest loss the Saints have suffered since February 9, 2024.

When it comes to explaining why Nansemond-Suffolk Academy lost, don't look at Madden Gilliatt. Despite the final result, he dropped a double-double on 25 points and 13 rebounds. The matchup was Gilliatt's sixth in a row with at least ten points. Noah Cannon was another key player, putting up 21 points and six boards.

Even though they lost, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 12 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive rebounds in 11 consecutive games.

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy's defeat dropped their record down to 6-6. As for Norfolk Academy, their victory was their first in the region, bumping their region record up to 1-2 and their overall record up to 5-7.

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy and Norfolk Academy could both be facing uphill battles in their next games considering their disadvantage in the MaxPreps Virginia Rankings. Nansemond-Suffolk Academy will take on Peninsula Catholic at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday down 148 places (196 vs. 48). Similarly, Norfolk Academy (ranked 211th) will meet Catholic (ranked 32nd) at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday.