ATLANTA – Callaway freshman Tanesha Johnson probably never figured she would be the hero of her team’s game against Douglass on Tuesday night.

But that’s exactly what happened.

With the Lady Cavaliers down by two points with less than 10 seconds left in regulation, Johnson fired in a 3-point bomb from the left perimeter that found the bottom of the net, lifting the Lady Cavs to a 53-52 road win over Douglass.

The victory gives the Callaway girls an overall record of 6-3, which includes a 2-1 record in Region 4-AAA.

“I’m always happy with the win,” coach Deyano Martin said after the game.

Still, Martin was upset after the game because his relinquished a lead late in the game after leading all night.

“I may get mad sometimes about stuff and push the girls, but at the same time I’m always happy about a win,” Martin said. “I just told them in the locker room is the reason I get on them a lot, because I want them to be successful.”

Callaway was ahead in the game most of the night.

In fact, the Lady Cavs took the lead in the first quarter and never trailed until less than a minute to go in the game.

The Lady Cavs led 14-6 after the first quarter, 23-18 at the half and 40-34 after three quarters.

Douglass managed to trim that lead to only two points at 45-43 after converting a three point play with about six minutes remaining in the game.

The Lady Astros stayed right on the Lady Cavaliers’ heels, trading baskets and staying within reach of the lead.

With 24 seconds left and down by a point, Douglass finally emerged over the hump as a 3-pointer put it ahead by two at 52-50.

Martin called time-out with 11 seconds remaining to try and set up some a last-second shot.

The ball came in quickly to Johnson in front of the Callaway bench.

Johnson momentarily had a wide-open look at the hoop as one Lady Astro lunged toward her in an attempt to rattle her concentration.

Too late.

The ball was on its way and hung in the air for what seemed like an eternity before it nestled itself in the net, sending the small Cavalier crowd into a frenzy and giving Johnson memories she will remember for years to come.

“Well, first I didn’t think I was going to make it,” Johnson said after the game. “So I just did it for the team. I had to make a 3-pointer for the team. Then I had to get back on defense.”

There were about three seconds remaining on the clock after the ball cleared the net as Callaway players ran toward mid-court to ensure Douglass would be unable to heave a long ball.

In the end, the Lady Astros were unable to get even a wild shot off as time expired.

“I think the other team got a little momentum,” Martin commented. “But once again, we just kept playing and hung in there and found a way to win.”

Calaway was led in scoring by Johnson and teammate Monica Jackson, who each had 14 points.

Latasha Anderson chipped in with 11 points.