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It was a defensive slugfest between the Callaway girls basketball team and region for Westside on Thursday. The Cavaliers would escape with a 35-33 win at the death as senior Raniya Mahone secured an offensive rebound and outback with just 2.8 seconds on the clock. 

After an uncharacteristically quiet first half with no points, Mahone scored seven in the second half and with offense at a premium for both teams, every single one of those points mattered. 

Mahone scored two baskets in the fourth quarter: the game-tying layup with a shade under a minute to go in the game and then the short-range jumper to win it. Her impact went beyond scoring as she led the team in rebounding (12) while contributing five steals. 

The fourth quarter was back-and-forth and featured four ties and three lead changes. 

The Seminoles started the game on a 4-1 run before the Cavaliers snatched momentum away and eventually took a 10-6 lead after the opening quarter. Callaway would eventually stretch its lead out to eight points (15-7).

Westside would not go away quietly with both teams struggling on offense all game. Callaway led 19-17 at the break, but the Seminoles would eventually break through and retake their first lead since the first quarter just seconds into the fourth. 

Westside scored in transition at the third-quarter buzzer to cut the Callaway lead to just one point (25-24) and then scored on the opening possession in the fourth. 

Tra’niya Mitchell and Aniyah McFarland led the Cavaliers in scoring with eight points apiece. The latter also led the team in steals with six. 

Aubrey Chelcy finished with six points and 11 rebounds.

Callaway is now 10-7 on the season with a region record of 4-2. Thursday served as sweet revenge for the Cavaliers, who lost to the Seminoles by 26 points earlier this season. Callaway looks to make it three wins in a row when they travel to take on region opponent Jackson on Friday.