Demonettes roll through second half to sweep Northside in 2026 Crosstown Showdown

WARNER ROBINS — The second part of the Crosstown Showdown between Northside (13-7) and Warner Robins (18-3) mirrored the first in a lot of ways, including the final result of a Demonettes victory.

The 63-31 final marked the end of another defensive battle, one that barely saw a team in double digits by the end of the first.

The early quarters were physical, and were won and lost on the glass.

Warner Robins picked up three quick fouls and the Lady Eagles attacked the boards — getting as many as four offensive rebounds on one possession in the first half.

Both squads ran a full court press, played up on ball handlers and aggressively chased loose balls. But arguably the separating factor was the turnover margin.

Northside’s offense is currently at its best when they force turnovers and get out in transition, and that was no different against Warner Robins. The problem was the Demonettes navigated the press and pressure just fine in most scenarios.

Baskets were hard to come by for either team, but Warner Robins’ ability to force turnovers put them ahead early. Syriah Mace’s unlikely three-pointer put them up 27-15 at halftime.

“That was one of our keys, to force turnovers…Every loose ball’s got to be ours,” Demonettes head coach Rebecca Ivory said. “I think they did well with active hands…I think that goes back to just being a rivalry game. All 11 of them played well. I feel like for the first time we rotated and nothing let up.”

Scoring was a little less grueling coming out of the break, and the Lady Eagles had their chance to force their way into the game.

They got more turnovers out of their press, and if it didn’t lead to a fast break score, they at least interrupted Warner Robins’ offense.

Zayla Turner’s personal 4-0 run helped draw Northside within 10 with about half of the third to go, but the Demoenttes picked it up from there.

They finished two layups through contact (including for Kennedy Bradshaw’s 1000th point?) and picked up more takeaways, all but shutting the Lady Eagles’ offense out of the game.

A 12-2 run put Warner Robins up 45-25, and they outscored Northside 17-6 to put the game away.

“I saw a lot of ball movement, team ball. Making the extra pass,” Ivory said. “We didn’t let up and came out to play in the second half…They came to play during a rivalry game. I told them at halftime, ‘The streak is [Northside hasn’t] won here since the gym’s been built, we’re gonna keep it that way.”

UP NEXT

Warner Robins gets back to region play on Tuesday, Jan. 27 against Perry at 6 p.m.

Northside has one more non-region game against Northside-Columbus on the road on Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 6 p.m.