WARNER ROBINS -- Warner Robins fell behind early Tuesday and could not find its way back as it bowed out of the GHSA Class AAAAA tournament with a 67-48 upset to the Ware County Gators.

The Demonettes could not find the range from the floor in the first quarter, falling behind 14-0 at the end of the quarter.

“We had a slow start offensively in the first half,” Warner Robins head coach Tom Mobley said. “We talked about attacking, and instead we came out shooting 3s. We were just cold as ice in the first half. We played a lot better after that, but when you get behind and you continue to let the other team score, you’re in trouble.”

Warner Robins began the second quarter on a 7-0 run to chip away at its deficit, but Demonettes never got any closer. Ware County seemingly had an answer to every Demonettes score and it stretched the lead back to 11 at the half and to 16 in the third quarter.

“We didn’t get back on defense,” Mobley said. “I felt they were quicker than we were, and they hurt us in transition. We saw that on tape. Every time we’d score, they would come right back down and score.”

The Gators converted 21-of-29 from the free-throw line, outscoring the Demons by 14 from the line. They attempted just one 3-point field goal in the game, opting to drive into the lane with ease and convert numerous second-chance buckets.

“They were a lot more aggressive,” Mobley said. “They beat us on the boards. That was disappointing. Looking at the tape, I thought that we would have some opportunities for some extra shots offensively, and we just didn’t get nearly as many as I thought.”

Despite the loss, the Demonettes collected their third straight region championship in a season that might have been viewed as a rebuilding year.

“If you would have told me at the beginning of the season that we would be region champs, I would have taken it. (Tuesday) I’m disappointed, but (Wednesday), when I wake up, I’ll realize that we had a successful season,” Mobley said.