By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

BARNESVILLE – The Callaway Cavaliers shrugged off a close semifinal loss to Bremen to slip past Heard County 52-49 in the Region 5-AA tournament third-place game.

Banks County, the second-place team from Region 5-AA, will host Callaway on Saturday at 6 p.m. in the opening round of the state tournament.

The Cavaliers (12-11) have come a long way after winning just three games and missing out on the state tournament last season.

“I’m very proud. Like I told the kids, from last year winning three games, to winning 12 ballgames now and making it to the state tournament, that’s a phenomenal turnaround,” Callaway head coach Terry Hayes said. “I’m very proud of them.”

Demetrius Coleman, who started as a freshman last season, led Callaway in the Heard County game with 21 points.

Antinez Blount added 13 points, and JaVontay Boddie, who was also a freshman starter last season, scored 10 points.

Defensively, Callaway focused on slowing down Heard County’s Alijah Huzzie, and that effort paid dividends.

“The guys played very well,” Hayes said. “We put a box and one on their best player, and he only scored nine points. We did a good job of denying him the ball and boxing out. And we made some big shots.”