Basketball Game Preview: Steward Spartans vs. Nansemond-Suffolk Academy Saints

Steward is 8-1 against Nansemond-Suffolk Academy since January of 2017 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Tuesday. The Steward Spartans will be playing at home against the Nansemond-Suffolk Academy Saints at 6:00 p.m. Steward is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 54.7 points per game this season.

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy is facing Steward at the wrong time: Steward suffered their first home loss of the season on Saturday and they're likely out for redemption. They fell just short of the Dolphins by a score of 59-57. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest loss the Spartans have suffered against the Dolphins since January 21, 2020.

Xavier Nelson

Points

02/15/25 vs Cape Henry Collegiate	18
02/12/25 @ Nansemond-Suffolk Academy	23
02/10/25 @ Benedictine	17
02/07/25 @ Norfolk Collegiate	15

Even though the team lost, they still had their share of impressive performances. One of the best came from Xavier Nelson, who went 6-for-12 to rack up 18 points and seven rebounds. His afternoon made it four games in a row in which he has scored at least 15 points. The team also got some help courtesy of Donovan Richardson, who posted 20 points.

Meanwhile, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their third straight defeat. They had to suffer through an 88-44 loss at the hands of Catholic. The match marked the Saints' lowest-scoring game so far this season.

Despite the loss, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy saw an underclassman step up: sophomore Noah Cannon earned 16 points. Another player making a difference was Madden Gilliatt, who put up 11 points and five boards.

Steward's defeat dropped their record down to 19-7. As for Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, their loss dropped their record down to 11-10.

Rebounding is likely to be a big factor in this contest: Steward has been crashing the boards this season, having averaged 27 rebounds per game. However, it's not like Nansemond-Suffolk Academy struggles in that department as they've been averaging 33.9 boards. With both teams battling to corral missed shots, we'll see if one team can grab an edge.

Steward strolled past Nansemond-Suffolk Academy in their previous matchup on Wednesday by a score of 61-45. One of the biggest obstacles the team faced in that game was Gilliatt, who dropped a double-double with 28 points and 14 rebounds. Now that he's got a second chance to win this matchup, will Steward still be able to contain Gilliatt? Check MaxPreps.com after the match to find out.