Suffolk News-Herald

Ann-Taylor Spain scored 11 points and Lexi Holland yanked down 10 rebounds as Nansemond-Suffolk Academy (NSA) overcame a shoddy shooting performance with a strong defense in a season-opening 35-22 defeat of visiting Hampton Christian (HC) on Tuesday.

Though the Lady Saints (1-0, 0-0) missed several open layups and jumpers, they consistently outrebounded and stole from the Lady Warriors.

HC jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first two minutes, but the Lady Saints began a balanced attack, as Spain, Holland, Michelle Boucher and Lindsay Jarman scored in the remainder of the period to end it ahead 15-7.

A breakaway layup by Sarah Bangley was the only bucket of the second quarter, and the Lady Saints hit the dressing room ahead by 10. The Lady Warriors made their only offensive move of the night midway through the third period, charging off on a 9-2 run to get within 21-16.

But Jarman hit two free throws, a jumper and a breakaway layup to put her team back on top 27-16 at the break. Spain, Holland, and Parris Grieder scored in the final period. &uot;We were a little nervous, but everyone has first-game jitters,&uot; said Jarman. &uot;We were still getting them out, and we’ll be ready for what comes at us.&uot; They’ll visit Windsor on Thursday.

In the boys game, HC held off NSA 36-32. Kyle Jett led the Saints with 11 points and Todd Harrell added six. The Saints will visit Windsor on Friday.