Warner Robins uses strong start to drop Houston County
The Warner Robins Demons jumped to a 14-point first-quarter lead and never looked back as they remained undefeated in GHSA Region 2B-AAAAA play with a 69-57 win over Houston County. Donovan Brown scored 19 of his game-high 23 points in the first half and added 12 rebounds as the Demons went 15-of-28 from the field in the first half and outrebounded Houston County 20-8 to put the game away early.
Houston County was looking for its first region win but started off ice cold from the field, hitting only 2-of-11 shots in the first quarter. Nelson Phillips got off to a quick start for Warner Robins, hitting two 3-pointers in the first quarter, and Brown took over in the second quarter, scoring 13 points as the Demons pushed their lead to 39-17 at the half.
Houston County played much better in the third quarter, but even after Jaylon Golds hit a 3-pointer late in the quarter, it still trailed 54-38 at the end of the third quarter. Warner Robins head coach Jamaal Garman pulled his starters and gave playing time to all of his substitutes the remainder of the way.
THREE WHO MATTERED
Brown: The Demons' senior was unstoppable in the paint in the first half, scoring 19 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in the first half alone.
Phillips: He had two 3-pointers early to help the Demons jump to a 10-2 lead in the first quarter.
Javion Johnson: The Houston County senior was playing in his final home game, and despite the loss, he made it somewhat special with 18 points and 10 rebounds
TURNING POINT
Warner Robins already was cruising but outscored Houston County 9-1 during the final two minutes of the second quarter, making a 14-point lead an insurmountable 22-point lead at the half.
WORTH MENTIONING
Closing it out: Even when Houston County cut the Demons' lead to 13 in the fourth quarter, Garman never left his chair and let his substitutes finish out the game.
ALSO FRIDAY NIGHT
The Warner Robins girls got a stern test from Houston County but controlled the fourth quarter 22-8 to remain undefeated in the region with a 68-53 win. Kezia Holmes led the way with 18 points while Le'Terria Mathis added 15. Madi Slappey and Autumn Ring both had 13 for Houston County.
THEY SAID IT
Garman on his team's play in the first half: "It's about time. We have been waiting for that kind of first half for a long time, and it was good to get it in a region game."
Garman on no starter playing in the fourth quarter: "I just don't see a reason to keep starters in with a big lead, and I don't believe in doing that. Sure, I would have like the starters to get more time, but we have an early game on Saturday, so they will get plenty of time then."
Brown on his hot start: "I felt very good in warm-ups, and I wanted to take that out on the court at the beginning of the game. We knew it was senior night for them, and we needed to come out and match their emotion."
Brown on not playing in the final quarter: "It was great to get to watch all those guys who work hard every day at practice. They help to make us better every single day, so I am glad they got the chance to play a lot of minutes."
WHAT'S NEXT?
Warner Robins plays Saturday at Rutland while Houston County travels to Bleckley County.
This story was originally published January 29, 2016 at 11:32 PM.