By Kevin Eckleberry

Sports Editor

Callaway High is on a strict 24-hour rule this season.

The Cavaliers, who defeated Jordan High on Saturday to take the sole lead of Region 5-AA, can only enjoy a victory for a full day following a win, but after that it’s back to reality.

After all, if Callaway (10-2 overall, 5-1 region) wants to achieve its goal of being the No. 1 seed when tournament time rolls around, it can’t look too far ahead.

Cavaliers’ coach Greg Moultrie told his team following the win over Jordan to enjoy it for a day, but to expect a focused week of practice leading up to the Manchester game on Friday.

“I told them to enjoy it for 24 hours, but then we’ve got to work on the next game,” Moultrie said. “We can’t afford to slip up.”

While Callaway controls its own destiny to win the regular-season region title, it’s got a group of teams ready to pounce as the season nears its midpoint.

Manchester, Heard County, Jordan and Spencer are each 4-2 in the region.

Everyone is chasing the Cavaliers, though.

With senior Quantavius Leslie leading the way, the Cavaliers have reeled off eight straight wins and have done so by pouncing on opponents early.

In wins over Pike County and Jordan last weeks, Callaway jumped out to considerable leads before easing up.

“We like to set the tone,” Moultrie said. “We want teams to play with our tone.”

While Leslie is by far the Cavaliers’ best scorer, it has been a team effort.

Senior D.J. Rutledge along with juniors Quan Bray, Dominique Smedley and Terrance Jackson have stepped up when needed.

Moultrie pointed to Jackson as one of the team’s leaders.

“He’s a true point guard,” Moultrie said. “He’s a pass-first guy and is great when he’s looking to execute.”

Although Moultrie is in his first year at Callaway, the ultra-talented Cavaliers are adapting well to his way of doing things.

Along with controlling the pace of games, the Cavaliers only take chances when they have to, which is what Moultrie wants to see.

“We’ll take a chance when the opponent allows us to,” Moultrie said. “The guys are buying in to passing up a good shot for a better shot.”

While the Cavaliers are well on their way to finishing as one of the region’s best teams, Moultrie just wants his team to remember that hard work will pay off as the stakes get higher.

“We want to start good and finish better,” Moultrie said.