ATLANTA – Callaway’s boys’ basketball team came took an overtime loss on the road to Douglass High, 83-78 on Tuesday night.

But perhaps the most critical turn of events for the Cavaliers occurred even before the opening tip-off.

Callaway coach Terry Hayes confirmed that the team’s point guard, senior leader and leading scorer in Tyrell Tigner is no longer a member of the basketball team as of Monday.

When Hayes was asked why Tigner left the team, he declined to comment.

Callaway is now at 3-6 overall and 2-1 in Region 4-AAA.

The Cavaliers battled in a back-and-forth contest that saw a number of lead changes in the fourth quarter.

Callaway had ample opportunities to win the game, including a 3-point try that bounded off the rim near the end of regulation.

In the end, Callaway had few answers down the stretch for the Astros’ size which proved to be the difference.

Douglass scored most of its points in the paint in the fourth quarter and overtime.

“We played pretty good,” Hayes said. “We just had a few break downs defensively and we didn’t make some good passes. We were away from home so I thought we put up a pretty good show. (Their size) bothered us in the end. We got intimidated a little bit, but we’re getting better. We’re getting better.”

The game started well for Callaway, which jumped out to a 9-4 advantage before Douglass decided to call timeout to regroup.

The timeout helped Douglass, and the Astros were able to close the gap to 13-11 after the first quarter.

Douglass took its first lead of the game, 18-17 ,with 5:06 left in the second quarter.

Douglass was able to maintain that one-point lead at the half, 29-28.

Callaway came out after halftime and picked up its tempo, taking a 38-32 lead before Douglass charged back to go ahead 42-41 with 1:58 remaining in the third quarter.

Callaway, though, led 52-49 heading into the fourth quarter, and it was a back-and-forth final eight minutes.

Both teams traded baskets throughout much of the fourth quarter, and both clubs had chances to win outright.

Callaway’s Nehemiah Jones had the last shot during regulation for Callaway after hauling in a long pass, squaring up to the basket and firing a 3-pointer that was too long and bounced off the backboard, sending the game to overtime.

Douglass took command of the game, going up by four as the Astros’ defense clamped down on the Cavaliers.

Callaway was in a position to cut into the lead after its defense forced a five-second call on an inbounds play.

But the Cavs were unable to capitalize on the turn of events, and Douglass sank a pair of free throws with less than 25 seconds left in the game to stretch its lead and put the game out of reach.

Callaway had three players score in double figures with senior Brandon Bridges pouring in 26 points, with nine of those points coming on free throws.

Jones and Terry Godwin each had 19 points.

Callaway plays a pair of region contests this weekend, hosting Jackson on Friday before traveling to play at Haralson County on Saturday.