THE Griffith Demons went some way to avenging last year's MIA Basketball League grand final defeat to Leeton by thrashing the Eagles 71-23 at West End Stadium on Saturday night.

Making their first appearance for the season, the Demons didn't show any mercy to the Eagles, who fielded a vastly different team to the combination that prevailed in 2013.

Up 15-4 at the first break, the Demons flexed their playing muscle in the second quarter to keep the Eagles scoreless while piling on 24 points of their own.

The visitors lifted after halftime to only lose the third term by three points, but by then the result was already decided.

Demons captain-coach Steve McCanna said his team dominated the contest from start to finish.

"Leeton weren't strong at all, but we played really well," he said.

"The juniors played well, everyone else played well, so I was really happy in that regard.

"In the end we just outclassed them. They were never really in the game."

What impressed McCanna most about the Demons' performance was the evenness of his players' contribution.

"Everyone stepped up and did what they had to do," McCanna said.

"I wouldn't single anyone out. I just thought it was a good all-round team performance, which is what you want."

McCanna will be hoping for a similar display when the Demons take on Narrandera in their second match this Saturday.

Given Leeton beat Narrandera 50-45 in round one, it's a game the Demons will be heavy favourites to win.

But McCanna said his team couldn't take anything for granted.

"Everyone's full of confidence now, but we can't get too far ahead of ourselves," McCanna said.

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