LANETT – It was one of those nights for the Callaway Cavaliers.

Callaway ventured across the state line into Alabama on Tuesday for a showdown against a strong Lanett High team.

It was a heavyweight matchup featuring two teams expected to do a lot of damage when their respective state tournaments roll around.

Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, they got off to a slow start, and they were unable to recover on the way to a 72-54 loss.

“We played hard. They were better,” Callaway head coach Terry Hayes said. “That’s how it was.”

The Cavaliers, who’d won three in a row heading into the game, fell to 5-3 as they get set for Friday’s Region 5-AAA opener at Central-Carroll.

In Tuesday’s game, the Cavaliers found themselves trailing 18-11 after the first period, and they were behind 36-25 at the half.

Needing a strong third quarter to get back into the game, Callaway was instead outscored 20-12, and Lanett took a 56-37 lead into the final period.

Dre Martin led Callaway with 16 points, Braylon Sanders added 12 points, and Ernest Patillo scored nine points.

Callaway now turns its attention to the all-important region games.

The Cavaliers have won three consecutive region tournament championships, and last season they didn’t lose a region game during the regular season or the tournament.

Also on Tuesday, the Callaway Lady Cavaliers fell to Lanett 47-35.

It was a tight first half.

The Lady Cavaliers were down 15-14 after the first quarter, and by the half they were behind 20-18.

By the time the third quarter ended, the Lady Cavaliers trailed 32-20, and while they picked up the pace in the fourth period and scored 15 points, they were unable to make up any ground.

Alexus Scott was the only Callaway played in double figures with 10 points.

Freshman Haley Holliday added seven points, and Chyna Cameron scored six points.

The Lady Cavaliers will take a 2-6 record into Friday’s region opener at Central-Carroll.

Callaway’s teams will be at home on Saturday to play Cedartown in a region doubleheader.

Reach Kevin Eckleberry at (706) 884-7311 or on Twitter @lagrangesports