Callaway overpowers Central-Carroll

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Lady Cavaliers remain second in region

By Kevin Eckleberry

keckleberry@civitasmedia.com

Callaway’s Zamari Hardnett follows through on a shot during the first half of Tuesday’s game. Hardnett and Chyna Cameron both scored 13 points to lead Callaway. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/01/web1_CHS14.jpgCallaway’s Zamari Hardnett follows through on a shot during the first half of Tuesday’s game. Hardnett and Chyna Cameron both scored 13 points to lead Callaway. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

Callaway’s Qua Beasley hit a 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer to help her team roll to a region win. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/01/web1_CHS16.jpgCallaway’s Qua Beasley hit a 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer to help her team roll to a region win. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

HOGANSVILLE – They took care of business.

Facing the visiting Central-Carroll Lions in a Region 5-AAA game on Tuesday, the Callaway Lady Cavaliers soared to a 56-36 victory.

The Lady Cavaliers (7-8 overall) improved to 4-2 in the region, leaving them in a second-place tie with Cedartown.

Haralson County, which hasn’t lost a region game this season, will visit Callaway on Friday.

In Tuesday’s game, Central-Carroll was overmatched.

The Lady Cavaliers struggled a bit offensively in the early going, but they still had an 8-2 lead at the close of the first quarter.

The Lady Cavaliers heated up in the second period, outscoring the Lady Lions 24-8 to take a 32-10 lead at the break.

“I felt like we came out in the second quarter with a lot of energy,” Callaway head coach Deyano Martin said. “We got some easy buckets.”

Callaway scored 12 points in the final 90 seconds of the first half.

Senior Zamari Hardnett hit back-to-back 3-pointers, and freshman Qua Beasley scored the next five points.

Beasley hit a 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer to send Callaway to the half with a 22-point lead.

The Lady Lions outscored the Lady Cavaliers 13-7 in the third period, but they were still behind by 16 points as the final quarter began.

Callaway outscored Central 17-13 in the fourth quarter to put it away.

Chyna Cameron, Callaway’s outstanding sophomore post player, scored six points in the fourth quarter.

Cameron and Hardnett led the way for Callaway with 13 points apiece, and eight players scored at least four points.

The Lady Cavaliers have won five of their past seven games, and they’re playing their best basketball as the end of the regular season approaches.

Callaway plays Haralson County on Friday before visiting Cedartown on Saturday, and it wraps up the regular season with games against Pepperell and Rockmart next week.

Friday’s challenge will be a big one.

Haralson County (21-1), which beat Rockmart 52-43 on Tuesday, is 7-0 in the region, and it has won 21 straight games since a season-opening loss to Calhoun.

“We need to come out Friday and play hard,” Martin said. “That’ll be a big test.”

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