WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — The GHSA state playoffs are just days away, and one of Central Georgia's top programs is not only entering a new season, but doing it in a new gym.
The Warner Robins Demons boys are on a roller coaster of emotions the past few days after capturing the program's 7th straight basketball region title over Veterans on the Warhawks floor this past weekend.
"It's a blessing to be able to fight against a great team like Veterans and get it in their gym. It's definitely a blessing for us. We wanted it, so we went and got it," said Demons Head Coach Jamaal Garman.
That win was Saturday. Today is a new week -- that game is in the rear view and the scenery has changed, literally and figuratively, with the opening debut of their new Elijah Weatherspoon Gymnasium replacing the older Demon Den they've used since the 1960s.
Garman said, "It took a long time to get in here, but I'm glad we're in here today to prepare and make people proud to be in here. It's a great place."
Garman's assistant coaches share the love just as much because all three are Warner Robins alums and former players of the Demons basketball program.
"Very excited to see his name on the floor. It's what we always wanted. Everything we do is in remembrance of him," said Assistant Coach Antwan Brooks, speaking about the floor dedicated to the late Warner Robins basketball coach Chip Malone, who died in 2015.
Assistant Coach Reggie Williams said, "For this to be Coach Malone's gym, it's a blessing."
Come Friday night, they can't worry too much about their new location. Instead, they need to rely on their old tradition of basketball play and how they got here.
"They understand that this is a new season. You only get one chance to lose. Everything is zero-zero. We don't wanna see that 'til next year, so we want to focus on our opponent across from us," said Garman.
The Demons host Jonesboro Friday night at 6 p.m.
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