The King’s Fork varsity basketball team (Suffolk, VA) will face Hermitage (Richmond, VA) in a neutral non-conference game today at 3:30 PM.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Virginia High School Basketball
Who: Hermitage vs King’s Fork
When: Today, February 8, 2025
Time: 3:30 PM. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: Hermitage vs King’s Fork

The 2024-2025 Virginia high school basketball season has produced an exciting competition between two standout teams—Hermitage and King’s Fork. Both squads have demonstrated exceptional skill and resilience throughout the season, and their impressive records reveal much about their competitive strengths. Let’s dive into a detailed breakdown of both teams and their performance this season.

Hermitage Basketball Team:

With a season record of 10-6, Hermitage has made a strong impression in Virginia basketball. The team has played a relatively balanced schedule, with a 5-5 record in regional competition and 6-4 on the road. Their home performance has been slightly better, with a 4-2 record.

On the offensive side, Hermitage has averaged 63.7 points per game, with a particularly strong showing in the fourth quarter, where they put up 33.5 points per game. Their consistent scoring throughout the second half of games speaks to their ability to finish strong.

While their overall win percentage is .625, their region performance stands at .500. These numbers highlight the competitive nature of their league and the challenges they face within it. The team has scored a total of 1,019 points so far while allowing 939 points, maintaining a solid scoring differential.

King’s Fork Basketball Team:

King’s Fork has been nothing short of dominant this season, posting an impressive 14-2 overall record. Their 7-1 regional performance and 10-1 home record showcase their exceptional consistency and ability to perform on both their home court and on the road. Additionally, they have yet to lose in a neutral-site game, with a 3-0 record in those contests.

Their offensive production has been phenomenal, averaging 74.8 points per game. King’s Fork has shown remarkable offensive balance, scoring 16.0 points in the first quarter, 17.5 in the second, and 18.8 in the third, before slightly tapering off to 14.8 points in the fourth. Despite this, their overall scoring has been strong enough to propel them to their impressive .875 win percentage and .875 regional win percentage.

With a total of 1,196 points scored and only 904 points allowed, King’s Fork boasts an outstanding scoring margin, indicative of their strong defensive play and efficient offense.

Head-to-Head Comparison:

When comparing the two teams, King’s Fork clearly stands out with a 14-2 record versus Hermitage’s 10-6. The gap in overall performance is evident, but Hermitage’s ability to compete in regional play with a 5-5 regional record shows they can hold their own against tough competition.

Hermitage has struggled slightly in the first half of games, scoring only 7.0 points in the first quarter and 6.5 in the second, but they make up for it with their fourth-quarter intensity, where they average 33.5 points. In contrast, King’s Fork’s offensive dominance is apparent throughout all four quarters, with their scoring averages consistent in each period.

Home vs. Away Performance:

King’s Fork has been highly effective on their home court with a 10-1 record, while Hermitage, although strong at home (6-4), has struggled a bit more on the road, with a 4-2 away record. King’s Fork also holds an advantage when it comes to playing neutral-site games, where they are undefeated with a 3-0 record.

Non-League and Playoff Potential:

Both teams have shown their ability to perform in non-league matchups. Hermitage has posted a 5-1 record outside of their league, while King’s Fork also holds a solid 5-1 record in non-league games. With such strong records, both teams are poised to make deep runs in their respective playoff brackets, with King’s Fork looking like a strong contender for a championship run.

Final Thoughts:

King’s Fork has clearly been the more dominant team this season, but Hermitage’s ability to finish strong in games and their resilience in tough regional matchups means they shouldn’t be counted out. As the season progresses, fans can expect a thrilling finish, with both teams likely to be contenders in the playoff race. Whether it’s Hermitage’s late-game intensity or King’s Fork’s well-rounded offensive and defensive play, the final stretch of the season promises to be one to watch for high school basketball fans across Virginia.