Demonettes put on defensive clinic in 54-21 win against Wayne County

WARNER ROBINS — The Warner Robins Demonettes (17-3, 4-0 Region 1-4A) have always been known for their defense, but they took it to another level in their 54-21 win against Wayne County (11-8, 1-3 Region) on Tuesday.

The Lady Yellow Jackets’ Ametrius Everett got a shot to finally go through the basket with 55 seconds left in the first half — for their first score of the evening.

Demonettes head coach Rebecca Ivory let out an “Awwww” just after, mildly disappointed they couldn’t keep the scoreless streak going to halftime.

“I wasn’t totally disappointed,” Ivory said with a laugh. “If they held [Wayne County] to zero at the half I was gonna walk up to my [Athletic Director] and tell him you owe them donuts like he does for the football team for a shutout. So that was more of my ‘aw,’ just to get them some donuts or some treats.”

The treat of a 28-3 halftime advantage would have to be enough for Warner Robins, as well as remaining an undefeated 4-0 in the region.

Obviously, a stellar defensive effort was the catalyst behind another lopsided victory.

“I think we just had a lot of energy defensively. Closing out well, executing defensively,” Ivory said, also noting the Demonettes’ unusually good rebounding effort. “It was key, too, that we boxed out and rebounded, they didn’t get second-chance shots. That was one of our goals.”

Rebounding on both ends has been an established weakness for Warner Robins, but against the Lady Yellow Jackets they boxed out and chased the ball down instead of waiting for someone else to get it.

“My girls were doing the little things first. The box out first, and then rebounding. Not just trying to out-jump somebody,” Ivory said. “It’s gonna be key going down the line, doing the little things.”

An underrated aspect of the defensive show was how well the Demonettes avoiding fouling on the interior.

In high school, and really at most levels of the sport, getting players to consistently stay vertical on contests is seemingly impossible.

The slightest angle in your arms can brush up against an arm, a wrist or a hand and end up with the shooter at the charity stripe.

Wayne County shot 13 total free throws, all of those coming in the second half as the reserves and deep reserves got more playing time.

“Back in December…one of my uncles came to the game and he just talked to them about keeping your hands up on defense,” Ivory said. “He said, ‘Old school basketball, get your hands up…’ It just lit a light [under them].”

The Lady Yellow Jackets didn’t hit double digits until there was 7:36 left in the game.

UP NEXT

The Demonettes only have three games left in the season — the next the final part of the Crosstown Showdown against Northside on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 4 p.m.

Wayne County will host Appling County on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 6 p.m.