By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

HOGANSVILLE – All they could do was keep fighting.

The first half of Friday’s state-tournament game was a difficult one for the Callaway Lady Cavaliers, who found themselves trailing 46-9 at the half.

Playing for pride in the second half, the Lady Cavaliers came out and delivered a strong effort, but the outcome had already been decided.

Dade County advanced to the second round of the Class AA state tournament, while Callaway’s season came to a close.

Callaway head coach Deyano Martin said the goal will be to make sure the returning players are in a better position to succeed if they return to the state tournament next season.

“You’ve got to play more ball over the summer. You’ve got to be ready,” Martin said. “And you’ve got to have confidence in yourself. That’s the only way you’re going to win. You’ve got to have confidence, and you’ve got to believe. You’re only going to believe because of repetition, and practice.”

KiKi Owens, in her final high-school game, led Callaway with 17 points, and she led the second-half charge with 15 points.

Junior post player Chyna Cameron added eight points.

Dade County was on fire early.

Raven Stone, who led her team with 18 points, made a pair of 3-pointers and scored 12 points in the first quarter as Dade County surged to a 28-4 lead.

Dade County kept pouring it on in the second quarter, and it led by 37 points at the half.

Callaway outscored Dade County 21-12 in the second half, but the damage had been done.

“I told them, we’ve got to play the first half like we played the second half,” Martin said.