From staff reports

The Callaway Cavaliers’ quest for a state championship came to a close Friday night in the quarterfinals of the Class AA state tournament in Dalton.

The Jefferson Dragons, who brought a 17-game winning streak into the game at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center, pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 65-58 victory.

While the Dragons advance to the semifinals in Macon, the Cavaliers saw their season end with a sterling 20-8 record.

The Cavaliers lost in large part because of their inability to make free throws.

They were 11-of-25 from the free-throw line.

The Dragons trailed for most of the night, but they took their first lead of the game at 52-51 with 2:45 remaining.

After falling behind by five, the Cavaliers got back-to-back baskets from D.J. Rutledge and Terrance Jackson to trim Jefferson’s lead to 56-55 with two minutes remaining.

The Cavaliers got within one point again with a minute left when Rutledge scored, but Jefferson finished the game on a 6-0 run.

Quantavius Leslie scored 14 points in his final high-school game, while Rutledge and Quan Bray added 13 points apiece.

The Cavaliers came into the game red-hot and hopeful of earning a ticket to the final four.

The Cavs had won six straight games, including a couple of victories in the state tournament.

Callaway won the Region 5-AA tournament to qualify for state.