Warner Robins looks to keep region momentum after first Crosstown Showdown loss in five years

WARNER ROBINS — Warner Robins had a rough start to their season, but they won seven straight before the finale of the Crosstown Showdown against Northside.

The Demons (10-11) led the series against the Eagles (12-8) 32-10 in the MaxPreps era, but Northside added a tally to their win column after Saturday’s 63-60 final.

Kam Schmitz’ shot attempt from the corner with three seconds left carried a lot of hope for Warner Robins. A hope for eight straight wins, a hope to keep a five-year rivalry streak alive, a hope they could keep the bragging rights just a little longer.

But the ball hit front rim and the buzzer sounded, sealing the Eagles’ victory. While they celebrated the Demons solemnly gathered for the post-game handshakes. It was quiet in the locker room, for a while, before a few frustrated yells escaped into the back halls of the Demon Den.

Head coach Jamaal Garman eventually emerged after encouraging his team to remember how special rivalry games like this are.

“Just take the fact that these moments are special and rare,” He said.

He also boiled down the Demons’ issues to one sentence:

“16 missed free throws, man,” Garman said after a pause. “That’ll do it every time.”

The fact that Warner Robins has had an issue at the charity stripe this season is not a well-kept secret. It cost them several games during their 4-10 start, and they won seven in a row before Saturday in spite of it.

In a game where neither team led by more than eight hitting free throws is a necessity.

Kam Schmitz had maybe his best game this season; His scoop and score put Warner Robins up 60-59 with under a minute to go. He had seven of his 12 points in the fourth quarter.

Tristan Warren also had a 12-point game, with eight of those coming in the second half. Two of Garman’s key contributors are starting to warm up, and he doesn’t want them to waver after a rivalry loss.

“I just told them our goal is still at hand. We didn’t want to lose this game, we did. But our goal is still there,” Garman said. “We still want to win the region, [we’re] still number one in the region right now…This was a hiccup in the road…We’ll get over it.”

Warner Robins has lost one region game this season, and that was at the end of their six-game losing streak.

Since then they’ve taken care of business and won their last six region games. That includes a 70-63 overtime win against Ware County, who is currently 18-3.

The Demons have three region games left on the schedule, and in the same season they reached a new low under Garman they’re in prime position to defend their 2025 region title.