ROCKMART – In a rematch of last year’s region-championship game, it was all Callaway.

Facing the homestanding Rockmart Yellow Jackets in a Region 5-AAA showdown, the Callaway Cavaliers cruised to a 72-49 victory on Tuesday night.

The Cavaliers (10-3 overall) reached the halfway point of their region schedule with a 5-0 record.

“Everyone played, and everyone contributed,” Callaway head coach Terry Hayes said. “It was a total team effort. We played good defense.”

The Cavaliers exploded for 28 points in the second quarter to grab a big lead, and Hayes was able to empty the bench and get everyone significant playing time in the second half.

Dre Martin paced the Cavaliers with 21 points, Ernest Patillo scored 12 points, and Braylon Sanders added 11 points.

In Tuesday’s girls’ game, Callaway fell to Rockmart 69-59.

The Lady Cavaliers (5-8 overall) completed the first half of their region schedule with a 3-2 record.

Tanesha Johnson had a big game for the Lady Cavaliers with 21 points, and she made three 3-pointers.

Ki Ki Owens added 11 points, Chyna Cameron scored nine points, and Alexus Scott contributed eight points.

Kalisha Printup was unstoppable for Rockmart with 34 points, and she made four 3-pointers.

The Lady Cavaliers had a 14-13 lead after the first quarter, but by the half they were down 34-27.

Callaway got within four points after the third quarter, but it was outscored 20-14 in the final period.

Callaway’s teams will kick off the second half of the region schedule on Friday with road games against Cedartown.

Callaway will step out of the region to host Valley (Ala.) on Saturday.

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