Seniors Jacolbey Owens and Nelson Phillips each chipped in 21 points to help lead Warner Robins into the second round of the GHSA Class AAAAA state basketball tournament. The Demons beat Ware 96-63.
The pair hit the first three baskets – a put-back by Phillips to start and a trey after Owens had driven in for a layup. Champ Dawson, who finished with seven, made it 9-0 with another layup and it appeared Warner Robins would never have to look back.
That wasn’t quite the case – close, however. The Gators’ head coach called a timeout, made an adjustment, and actually helped them stay close until the quarter began to close.
They scored the next six – with at least a half dozen misses by the Demons during that stretch – and eventually got to within one, 16-15.
That was with just over two minutes left before the break. Warner Robins outscored its visitor 9-5 from there, to lead 25-19.
From there it was pretty much never-look-back time. The Demons began the second with a 13-1 advantage to lead 36-21. At the half they were up 45-28 and 69-42 heading into the final quarter.
Junior Trevon Williams also had 14 in the effort and senior Jaydon Norman 9.
The boys will next host the winner between Eagles Landing and McIntosh. Those two were to play Saturday, with the second round to be held Wednesday or Thursday (most likely the first of those two). Elsewhere, Perry fell to Westover 63-58 and Northside was eliminated by Brunswick, 75-61.
For the girls, only Northside was able to make it out of the first round. The Lady Eagles beat Glynn Academy 49-29 on the road. They will take on Lovejoy next. It beat Lakeside, Evans 54-19. Being the No. 1 seed out of Region 4 – Northside is the No. 3 – it will also host.
As far as the rest, Warner Robins, despite rallying to take a 27-25 lead late, fell to Wayne County 43-33.
Veterans drew a tough No. 1 seed in Ware County and it showed, as the Lady Warhawks fell 62-24.
Houston County’s girls lost to Bradwell 42-28 – unfortunately, the only one from a strong Region1 not to advance (Valdosta and Coffee being the other two that did) – and Perry was eliminated, 54-32, by Americus-Sumter.
