Nansemond-Suffolk Academy’s boys’ basketball team took on Hampton Christian on Thursday and lost a close one, 49-42

The two teams met for the second time in a week. Both games were close losses for the Saints.

“Both games were almost identical,” Saints coach Lamont Strothers said. “We had the looks we wanted; they just couldn’t fall.”

HC took the first quarter, outscoring the Saints 6-11, but NSA put up 18 points in the second quarter and went into halftime up 24-22. The second half, however, saw the Saints struggling.

“Our defense it what led us to that strong second quarter,” Strothers said. “We were active in the passing lanes. We chart our deflections — every game we want to get at least 12 — (and) we had six or seven in that second quarter alone. In the third quarter, we just couldn’t get the ball in the basket. If we’d converted the easy baskets, it’s a different game.”

Allen Strothers led the way with 12 points. Resean White followed with 11. Strothers and White were the only double-digit scorers for the Saints.

NSA limited Hampton Christian’s leading scorer to only seven points.

HC is 12-3 for the year and a solid team. For NSA to come so close to beating them twice was encouraging to Strothers. The Saints have not been dominated in any of their 11 games, and a lot of the losses have been close ones, so Strothers things the future is bright for his young team.

“I tell people all the time I’m ecstatic about my team,” Strothers said. “A lot of people are praising the kids for how well they have been playing.”

The Saints are 5-6 for the season but were 1-1 for the week after previously getting a win against Hampton Roads Academy, the first time in five years the Saints have beaten HRA.

At the start of 2017, Strothers believes the team is playing well and progressing at a good pace before TCIS Conference play begins.

Next for NSA is a home game against Portsmouth Christian at 7 p.m. on Monday, weather permitting.

HC 49, NSA 42

NSA (5-6): White 7, Freeman 6, R. White 11, Eberwine 3, Spencer 3, Strothers 12

HCA (12-3): Bucker 7, Street 15, Mann 13, Foster 8, Tybee 2, Gulbronson 2