Davie beat R.J. Reynolds 84-73 on Jan. 28 in Mocksville and ever since then no one’s been able to slow down the Demons.

“We’re the ones that fired them up,” groaned Young after Reynolds beat his War Eagles 82-69 on Saturday night in a 4A sectional final at the Joel Coliseum Annex. “Since we beat them, they’ve played great. Now, they’re the hottest team in the state.”

Reynolds (24-2) dominated Davie (21-6) in the paint to end the finest hoops season in War Eagle annals.

“Our big men have had some great games this year,” said Young, talking about 6-7 Djordje Lukic, 6-6 Larry Umberger and 6-6 John Orsillo. “Unfortunately, tonight wasn’t one of them.”

Davie got just one field goal from its trio of tree-toppers (by Lukic) and it wasn’t nearly enough.

War Eagle superstar Duane Phillips, playing his last game, poured in 30 to lead Davie. Senior guard Dominic Graham scored 17, while scrappy soph Sean Stevens pumped in 14.

Derrele Mitchell led Howard West’s Demons with 24 points. Mitchell Bittle added 14, while Ilia Evtimov and Michael Foster chipped in eight apiece.

Davie came out smoking behind 11 first-quarter points by Phillips and took a 19-17 lead at the first break on a Stevens 3-pointer.

Davie was running and gunning at that point and its big men were doing the job on the glass and getting the ball out to the speedy guards.

Lukic had seven of his 10 boards early, while Umberger, who finished with 12 boards, also got his share.

“Davie was beating us in transition and that just doesn’t happen to us,” said West. “Against Davie, though, it seems to happen a lot.”

Davie had the lead at 24-23 after another Stevens 3 six minutes prior to halftime and led 29-25 after a runner and a 3-ball from Graham.

But then West switched defenses and Davie turnovers followed. Reynolds closed the first half on a furious 16-5 run to lead by seven at 41-34 at intermission.

Phillips scored Davie’s first 12 points of the third quarter, but the Demons were clicking now and were edging away, slowly but surely.

Stevens scored a layup after a steal by Phillips to bring Davie within 55-48, but that was as close as the War Eagles got in the second half.

The fourth period was a layup drill for the mighty Demons, who polished off the War Eagles for the third time in four games this season.

“They finally just wore us down,” said Young. “They are deeper than we are and they are quicker than we are.”

And now, those quick, deep Demons move to the regionals for the third time in four years.

DAVIECOUNTY (69) — Phillips 30, Graham 17, Stevens 14, Sullivan 2, R.Tenor 2, Lukic 2, Umberger 2.

REYNOLDS (82) — Mitchell 24, Bittle 14, Evtimov 8, Foster 8, Russell 7, Senter 7, Petree 6, McChesney 2, Byron 2.

Davie 19 15 17 18 — 69