Demons newcomers stepping up in a big way

The Warner Robins Demons were behind at halftime at home last Tuesday. The final two possessions for the visiting Houston County Bears resulted in consecutive baskets by senior guard TJ Morgan, a three-pointer, and junior HB Morgan, a drive down the middle of the defense, that put the Bears ahead by five points. Being the home opener it is understandable that the Demons starters were a bit out of sync but the newcomers off the bench, they were anything but unprepared to make their home court debuts. “I thought they carried us during the time when the starters were in foul trouble,” said Demons head coach Jamaal Garman of his reserves Rashaun Tomlin, Julius King, Greg Jones, Xavier Hill and Manny Thompson. “They kept the game close for us and that was huge.” 

The Demons would go on to win the game 60-57, but despite the stars of the team seniors Keshun Houser, Quon Dillard (10 points, 10 rebounds) and Kevin Barnes (10 points 8 rebounds) contributing in a major way, it was the reserves players like Jones, who scored 10 points and dished out four assists. Jones, a junior, played JV last year and is what Garman calls, “a key piece off the bench.” Tomlin, who changed his number from 22 to 12 this season, added 12 points and six rebounds and looked every bit the energy player the Demons will need this season. Thompson, more of a defensive post presence, provided the Demons with interior rebounding against what is an athletic Bears team. 

The same could be said for the Demons 68-45 victory at Rutland Tuesday when Jones scored 14 points and Tomlin scored a team-high 20 points. 

The Demons will continue to need the bench as their annual competitive schedule has them playing Southwest Macon Saturday night in a pre-Thanksgiving tournament. 

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