On a team with no seniors, junior Harrison Spalding is the best Nansemond-Suffolk’s boys basketball team can do for an experienced veteran. Spalding filled that role and a lot more on Wednesday, totaling 36 points and 15 rebounds for the Saints in their 62-52 win at Windsor.

With Windsor leading by six early in the third period, Spalding proceeded to score 16 of NSA’s 20 points in the third quarter to put NSA in front. Spalding then converted most of his 15-for-15 night at the foul line in the fourth quarter to keep the Saints ahead.

Spalding, at 6-foot-3, provides ball handling and outside shooting at guard, his natural position. As NSA’s tallest player though, Spalding has to play the role of power forward or center on the defensive end.

“Harrison is a talented kid, but he hasn’t always been aggressive. When he’s aggressive, like he was Friday and like he was tonight, he has a chance to be really good,” said NSA head coach Franklin Chatman.

Chatman had an eventful evening too as he picked up two questionable technical fouls in the second half and was ejected with 2:35 remaining in the game.

Midway through the third quarter, Chatman yelled, “Foul!” as he thought Spalding was fouled on a drive into the lane, and he was given a technical foul.

The second technical foul was given to the Saint coach, apparently, after talking to his assistant coach while sitting on the bench. Chatman said it was the first time in 15 years of coaching he had been ejected.

Until Spalding took over in the third quarter, the contest was back and forth. The Dukes opened the night getting out on top. Gavin Horton’s three-pointer made it 7-0 Dukes as Windsor knocked down jumpers on three of its first four possessions.

Spalding answered by scoring NSA’s first eight points of the night, mostly on driving moves into the paint. NSA led 10-7 at the end of a period.

Windsor regained the lead late the first half with C.J. Little scoring the last four points of the half to put Windsor up 23-21 at halftime. Windsor scored on its first three possessions of the third period and led 29-23.

NSA chipped away at the Windsor lead and were within 31-30 when Chatman picked up his first technical foul. Less than a minute later, Chris Sharrett’s steal and pass led to Spalding finishing a fast break for a three-point play to put NSA up 35-33 with 2:33 left in the third.

Spalding drove into the lane and hit a 12-foot jumper at the horn to give NSA a 41-34 lead with a quarter to play.

NSA led 45-35 before Windsor got three-pointers by Aaron Clements and R.J. Edwards. The Dukes drew as close as 47-44 before NSA scored six straight points.

NSA’s hectic, quick-fire offense went into a stall in the final three minutes and the free throw line was the Saints’ best friend. Spalding made a pair with 1:05 left to boost NSA’s lead to 55-49. Sharrett made two to make it 57-50 with 0:38.

“It’s great. The kids played with the effort and desire to pull it out,” said Chatman about NSA’s first win of the season.

Spalding scored 28 of his 36 points in the second half. Hicks had 15 points and eight rebounds.

Little led the Dukes with 19 points, six rebounds and five assists. Edwards had 10 points and eight rebounds.

NSA (1-1) travels to Saluda on Friday to play in a four-team tournament at Christchurch.