The high school basketball season in Virginia has been full of excitement and fierce competition, and two teams that have been in the spotlight are Fort Defiance and Turner Ashby. Both teams are showcasing strong performances, with Fort Defiance emerging as the early-season powerhouse in their matchups. Here’s an in-depth look at how these teams have fared so far in the 2024-2025 season.

Fort Defiance (4-0 Record)

Fort Defiance has been the team to watch, boasting an undefeated 4-0 record as of mid-December. With a perfect 2-0 record both at home and on the road, the team has proven to be a dominant force. Their offense has been particularly effective, averaging 63.3 points per game. The team’s strong performances are highlighted by a series of impressive wins, including their recent victory over Turner Ashby.

In their most recent matchup, Fort Defiance defeated Turner Ashby 59-56 on December 6, 2024. This close win further solidified their undefeated start to the season, as they continue to build momentum. With an overall point differential of +50 (253 points for, 203 points against), Fort Defiance has shown both offensive firepower and defensive resilience.

In addition to their victory over Turner Ashby, Fort Defiance has taken on other tough competitors such as Broadway, securing narrow but important wins (58-53 on December 3, 2024, and 57-53 on December 13, 2024). The team’s ability to perform under pressure has kept them at the top of their game.

Turner Ashby (2-3 Record)

While Turner Ashby has had a tougher start to the season with a 2-3 record, they remain a formidable opponent. Their performance has been a mix of strong wins and close losses. Turner Ashby’s scoring average is slightly lower than Fort Defiance’s at 56.6 points per game, but they have the ability to challenge high-scoring teams.

The team’s recent loss to Fort Defiance on December 6th was a setback, but they put up a strong fight, losing by just three points. Turner Ashby has also secured solid wins, notably defeating Waynesboro 67-45 on December 2, 2024, and besting Broadway 65-44 on December 9, 2024.

The Turner Ashby squad will look to bounce back in the coming weeks, with several crucial matchups against teams such as Wilson Memorial and Waynesboro still on the horizon. They will need to focus on consistency and tightening their defense to close out tight games in the future.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced some of the same opponents so far this season, which offers a useful comparison in their performances. Against Broadway, Fort Defiance has secured two wins (58-53 and 57-53), while Turner Ashby’s victory came in a dominant 65-44 fashion. Against Waynesboro, both teams have managed to record wins, with Fort Defiance taking a 67-45 victory and Turner Ashby also pulling off a 65-44 win in their recent matchup.

Another common opponent, Wilson Memorial, saw Turner Ashby fall to a 69-50 loss, while Fort Defiance will face them on December 13, 2024. These matchups will give both teams a chance to gauge their relative strength against key competition.

Looking Ahead

As the season progresses, Fort Defiance remains undefeated, showing strong potential for a deep playoff run. Their balance between offense and defense has made them a formidable team. Turner Ashby, despite their current losing record, has shown that they are capable of competing with the best, and with a few adjustments, they could turn their season around.

Both teams will face off again later in the season, with their December 6th meeting highlighting what promises to be an intense rivalry. With their head-to-head record standing at 1-0 in favor of Fort Defiance, Turner Ashby will be hungry for a rematch and a chance to even the score.

Key Statistics

• Fort Defiance Record: 4-0 (Overall), 2-0 (Home), 2-0 (Away)
• Turner Ashby Record: 2-3 (Overall), 1-2 (Home), 1-1 (Away)
• Scoring Average:
  • Fort Defiance: 63.3 points per game
  • Turner Ashby: 56.6 points per game
• Recent Head-to-Head:
  • Fort Defiance 59, Turner Ashby 56 (Dec. 6, 2024)

Both teams have displayed resilience and determination early in the season, and fans can expect plenty more action as they both aim to finish strong in the coming months.