The high school basketball scene in Washington, DC, is always a source of excitement, and two teams, Virginia Academy and Friendship Tech Prep Academy, have established themselves as strong contenders during the 2024-2025 season. With contrasting play styles and standout players, these programs bring their unique strengths to the court, making for an intriguing matchup.

Season Highlights and Records

Virginia Academy has had a solid season with an overall record of 8-5. Their regional record of 2-1 highlights competitive play within their division. Despite a 0-3 start on home turf, they’ve been formidable in neutral-site games, going 3-0. With a win percentage of .615 and a region win rate of .667, Virginia Academy has displayed resilience throughout the season.

Friendship Tech Prep Academy, meanwhile, has been dominant with a 6-1 overall record. Undefeated at home (3-0) and in league play (1-0), they boast an impressive win percentage of .857 and a perfect 1.000 in league competition. Their ability to win both close games and blowouts has set them apart, underscored by their strong performances in out-of-state contests (4-1).

Scoring and Statistical Comparison

One of the most notable differences between the two teams is their offensive output. Friendship Tech Prep Academy has one of the most explosive offenses in the region, averaging a staggering 87.7 points per game compared to Virginia Academy’s 63.8. Friendship Tech consistently starts strong, averaging 26.8 points in the first quarter alone, and finishes with an average of 88.6 points per game.

On the defensive end, Friendship Tech has limited opponents to just 356 points this season, while Virginia Academy has conceded 854 points. This defensive gap further highlights Friendship Tech’s ability to dominate both ends of the floor.

Key Players

For Virginia Academy, Rondel Jones Jr. has been the standout performer. Averaging 19.1 points per game, Jones Jr. is their offensive leader, complemented by his 2.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Another player to watch is Aidan Olson, who anchors the team with 5.0 rebounds per game.

On Friendship Tech Prep Academy’s side, David Bumpass leads with an impressive 21.4 points per game. The duo of David and Daniel Bumpass has been formidable, with Daniel contributing 6.4 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 4.7 steals per game. Nazaire Hinton also provides defensive prowess, averaging 1.5 blocks per game.

Common Opponents and Upcoming Matchups

Both teams have faced Springdale Prep this season, with Friendship Tech Prep securing a narrow 69-66 win, while Virginia Academy has yet to face them. Virginia Academy struggled against Clinton Grace, losing 70-55, while Friendship Tech Prep’s game against them is highly anticipated.

With these performances, the narrative is clear: Friendship Tech Prep Academy has demonstrated greater consistency and offensive firepower, while Virginia Academy relies heavily on individual brilliance and defensive efforts to stay competitive.

What to Watch For

• Team Depth and Execution: Friendship Tech Prep’s ability to spread the ball effectively (20.9 assists per game) contrasts with Virginia Academy’s reliance on individual performances. If Virginia Academy can disrupt Friendship Tech’s rhythm, they could turn the tide.
• Defensive Strategies: Virginia Academy’s defense, though allowing more points on average, will need to step up against Friendship Tech’s high-powered offense. Their ability to contain the Bumpass brothers will be crucial.
• Rebounding Battle: Friendship Tech’s dominance on the boards (32.4 rebounds per game) could prove decisive against Virginia Academy, which averages only 20.3 rebounds.

Looking Ahead

As the season progresses, these two programs will likely continue to make waves in their respective divisions. With both teams eyeing playoff success, a potential meeting between them would showcase two contrasting styles of basketball—Virginia Academy’s resilience versus Friendship Tech Prep Academy’s offensive explosiveness.

Fans should keep their eyes on these rising stars and enjoy what promises to be an exciting continuation of the high school basketball season in Washington, DC.