Warner Robins basketball hits the road for their first scrimmage of the summer

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — With three practices behind them, the Warner Robins Demons travelled to Baldwin High School for their first basketball scrimmage of the summer.

Both the varsity and junior varsity squads played a full game, and there was a lot to glean from the Demons first real competition since February.

The biggest storyline of the summer is the departure of Cam Perkins and Jay Johnson, two staples of the Warner Robins basketball scene for years.

The two left to fill those shoes are Justin Hill and Gabe Jacobs.

Both were snipers from the three-point line last year, Jacobs even broke the school three-pointers made record with 14 during his 50-point performance against Veterans in January.

Now the two will be asked to do more than catch-and-shoot, and instead will be asked to create those opportunities for others as lead guards.

There’s still a long way to go, but Demons coach Jamaal Garman is satisfied with what he’s seen from the pair so far.

“They have really stepped into that [lead guard] role. They’re more vocal than they were last year. It’s just getting the reps and doing it,” Garman said. “I like what I see out of them, but I still want more out of them because I know they can give me more…They’re going to be good at those roles and they got some complimentary guys that is going to fit right in with them too. I’m excited about this team.”

Andruw May and Mikhai Isaac were among seven seniors that graduated this year, leaving two holes in Warner Robins’ forward rotation.

Though May and Isaac were usually used situationally, the Demons still lose a lot of size with their exit.

One name to look for is Asher Jones, who will step in as a 6-foot-5 senior.

Jones has a slim, but lengthy, frame and shows finesse around the rim. Assuming Isaiah Gibson returns to the team for his senior year, Warner Robins will have a couple of options to hold down the middle.

Overall the Demons will have to rely on players without much varsity experience; Garman is getting them ready to accept that responsibility come the winter.

“I’m dealing with a lot of guys that don’t have a lot of varsity experience…Getting them to understand that every single possession, every single chance that you have to be on the floor you got to take advantage of those moments because it’s the variety level,” Garman said. “It ain’t like the [junior varsity] level now. These wins and losses look a little different at the varsity level. So I’m getting them to understand how intense they have to be from start to finish.”

UP NEXT

Warner Robins has several more scrimmages throughout the summer. Next week they’ll travel to Crisp County for one on Wednesday, and then host Crisp and Putnam on Friday for another.