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By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

A special season came to a close for the Callaway Lady Cavaliers, who were unable to keep pace with Washington County in the third round of the Class AA state tournament.

Callaway was within seven points early in the third quarter, but Washington County was in control from there on the way to a 71-46 victory on Tuesday night.

After the game, Callaway head coach Deyano Martin said his message to the players was to “remember the moment, and learn from it, and be proud of what you’ve already accomplished. We’re going to learn from this, and try to use it to our advantage next season. That’s all we can do.”

The Lady Cavaliers accomplished plenty during a memorable 2020-2021 season.

Callaway (15-6) won the Region 5-AA championship and two games in the state tournament before meeting its match.

“I just let them know, you have to reflect on what you did,” Martin said. “We came into the season, and our first objective was to win a region championship, so we accomplished our main goal. And after that, anything happens in the state playoffs. Every night, you have to be on your A game. If You’re not on your A game, it may cost you that night, and I felt like we didn’t play our best tonight.”

The Lady Cavaliers hung in there early and had a 14-12 lead after the first quarter, but they were behind 33-21 at the half.

Callaway scored the first five points of the second half to make it a seven-point game, but Washington County was ahead 58-38 by the close of the third quarter.

Washington County continued to stretch its lead in the fourth quarter before winning by 25 points.

Jazmine Thornton and Gabrielle Johnson led Callaway with 12 points apiece, and Lacy Thomas added eight points.

Niakoe Bruks contributed seven points, and Camryn Stargell rounded out the scoring for Callaway with six points.

Ashley Gray made four 3-pointers and led Washington County with 25 points, and Miracle Parker scored 22 points.

Callaway looked strong early, and when Thomas scored with 13 seconds left in the first quarter, the home team had a 14-9 lead.

Parker hit a 3-pointer at the close of the first quarter to cut Callaway’s lead to 14-12.

Washington County, spurred by its relentless full-court press defense, dominated the second quarter, outscoring Callaway 21-7 to build a 33-21 halftime lead.

A Johnson 3-pointer followed by a Thomas basket at the start of the third quarter got Callaway as close as seven points, but Washington County went on a 10-0 run over the next two minutes to take a 43-26 lead.

A Burks 3-pointer stopped the run, but Washington County kept rolling and was ahead 58-38 by the time the third quarter ended.

Washington County led by at least 20 points throughout the fourth quarter.