By Ross Johnson

Sports Writer

FRANKLIN - The ball rolled around the rim of the basket while the entire crowd in the Heard County High gymnasium waited in silence.

Callaway senior Tersheor Tigner’s layup finally sunk into the net, breaking the 47-47 tie with less than 30 seconds remaining in the Lady Cavaliers’ 51-47 Region 5-AA tournament quarterfinal win over Pike County Thursday.

“I was nervous it wouldn’t go in,” Tigner said. “I just hoped it would bounce in.”

Tigner’s basket was the play of the game for Callaway, which allowed a 9-0 run to Pike near the end of the fourth quarter.

With everything on the line, Tigner came through to send the Lady Cavaliers to the Class AA state tournament and earn a date with top-seeded Jordan today at 7 p.m. at Manchester High.

“We went my freshman year (to the state tournament), but it didn’t feel as good as this,” Tigner said.

The game wasn’t over after Tigner’s shot, however.

With the Lady Pirates in position to tie the game again, senior Keandrea Smith blocked a shot that likely would’ve gone in the basket to force overtime.

Possession went back to the Lady Cavaliers, and Jaquincia Cameron rebounded a missed Erin Anderson free throw to score again, giving Callaway the four-point win.

It was a relief for Lady Cavaliers’ head coach Albert Gilliam, who watched his team squander a 10-point fourth quarter lead.

“We didn’t take care of the ball,” Gilliam said. “We got hit with the pressure and we didn’t respond like I hoped we were supposed to. I have to hand it to Pike, though. They shot well, and scored 22 fourth-quarter points.”

Gilliam said the Lady Pirates did a good job of stopping Anderson, who is one of the team’s veterans and normally leads Callaway in points.

Anderson finished with just seven points, although Pike’s extra emphasis on her allowed for Tigner’s big day.

“The best way to beat any team is to take away what they do best, and Pike did that,” Gilliam said. “Others stepped up though, and that was what won us the game.”

Tigner finished with 20 points, followed by Brenique Cameron with 16.

While defeating the Jordan Red Jackets today will be a tall task, Gilliam said he’s confident his team will make a good showing.

Jordan won both regular-season matchups with Callaway

“I think we can play with (Jordan). It’s just a matter of endurance,” Gilliam said. “They’re just so quick and are good outside shooters. As a team, we match up with them in every aspect except their speed.”

Callaway and Jordan tip off at 7 p.m. at Manchester.