The Nansemond-Suffolk Academy boys’ basketball team fell to Atlantic Shores 68-48 on Thursday night.

“It was a very hard fought game,” Saints coach Lamont Strothers said. “I am really pleased, excited and looking forward to how good we can be by the second half of the season. The younger kids are gaining a lot of experience and are adjusting very well to the speed of the varsity level.”

After the first quarter, the Saints were within reaching distance of the Seahawks. Atlantic Shores was up 13-6 after the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Saints outscored the Seahawks 10-9.

Going into halftime the score was 22-16, with the Seahawks leading. From there, Atlantic Shores exploded with 24-point and 22-point quarters.

Resean White led the way for the Saints with 13 points. Three players added eight points apiece.

The loss puts NSA at 1-3 on the season.

NSA is a young team this year, and the players think that these early games are helping build their confidence to make a run when conference games get here.

“We know we have a lot of potential, and we work well together,” the Saints’ Spencer Salmon said. “We are confident in ourselves. We just have to keep up our confidence and stay together throughout the season.”

NSA will play Warwick High School at home at 2 p.m. Dec. 10.