The Nansemond-Suffolk Academy varsity basketball team (Suffolk, VA) will host a conference game against Catholic High School (Virginia Beach, VA) on Friday, February 14, at 7 PM.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Virginia High School Basketball
Who: Catholic vs Nansemond-Suffolk Academy
When: Friday, February 14, 2025
Time: 7:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here
Game Preview: Catholic vs Nansemond-Suffolk Academy
Virginia high school basketball continues to deliver competitive matchups, and the performances of Catholic High School and Nansemond-Suffolk Academy in the 2024-2025 season highlight two strong programs making their mark. With impressive records and standout players, these teams have demonstrated their prowess on the court.
Season Performance & Standings
Catholic High School boasts a commendable 17-8 overall record, including an outstanding 7-1 mark in region play. Their dominance at home (8-2) and strong away performance (6-3) contribute to a solid .680 winning percentage, demonstrating their consistency.
Meanwhile, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy has put together a 11-8 overall record, holding their own in region play at 4-3. They have been competitive across different venues, with a 5-2 home record and a 5-5 away record, resulting in a .579 winning percentage.
Scoring & Team Comparisons
When it comes to scoring averages, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy edges out Catholic with 67.4 points per game (PPG) compared to 65.7 PPG. Rebounding is another strength for Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, as they average 34.7 rebounds per game (RPG) over Catholic’s 33.0 RPG.
In the playmaking department, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy also holds the advantage, averaging 14.8 assists per game (APG), significantly more than Catholic’s 9.9 APG. Defensive statistics are relatively close, with Nansemond-Suffolk Academy recording 9.0 steals per game (SPG) compared to Catholic’s 8.4 SPG, while also maintaining a superior 3.2 blocks per game (BPG) compared to Catholic’s 1.9 BPG.
Key Players & Individual Performances
Catholic’s Ashton Walker has been an absolute force, leading his team with 21.3 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 2.6 APG, and 2.5 SPG. His well-rounded game has been a major factor in Catholic’s success.
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy counters with Madden Gilliatt, an equally dominant player, averaging 20.7 PPG and a team-leading 10.7 RPG. Gilliatt also contributes 2.4 SPG and 1.5 BPG, making him a crucial asset on both ends of the floor.
Adding to the playmaking strength of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy is Howard Casterlow, who leads his team in assists with 4.7 APG, showing his ability to create scoring opportunities.
Common Opponent Analysis
Both teams have faced similar competition throughout the season, and a breakdown of common opponents reveals some interesting comparisons:
- Catholic holds a 7-1 record against common opponents, whereas Nansemond-Suffolk Academy stands at 4-4.
- Notable victories for Catholic include a 75-33 win over Norfolk Christian and an 89-41 rout against Atlantic Shores Christian.
- Nansemond-Suffolk Academy also secured solid wins, including a 77-64 victory over Norfolk Christian and a 62-38 triumph against Walsingham Academy.
- However, Catholic has had a stronger showing against shared opponents, signaling their ability to perform consistently against similar competition.
Final Takeaways & Outlook
Both Catholic and Nansemond-Suffolk Academy have had strong seasons, with Catholic appearing to have a slight edge in consistency, particularly against common opponents. Their 7-1 record in such matchups suggests they are well-prepared to handle familiar competition, while Nansemond-Suffolk Academy’s balanced attack and rebounding advantage could make them a tough competitor in any contest.
With standout performances from players like Ashton Walker and Madden Gilliatt, both teams have the talent to make a deep postseason run. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how these two programs continue to develop and compete for higher honors in Virginia high school basketball.
