By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

They’re perfect where it counts.

The Callaway Lady Cavaliers faced a challenging non-region schedule, and they struggled to a 1-6 record.

Callaway has won both of its Region 5-AA games, though, including Friday’s hard-fought 47-46 home win over Lamar County.

Callaway opened its region schedule with a 53-48 road win over Heard County.

Agianst Lamar County, Callaway won in large part to its excellence from the free-throw line, particularly in the second half.

Callaway was 16-of-25 from the free-throw line, and it made 14-of-18 attempts in the final two quarters.

“We won the game at the free-throw line,” Callaway head coach Deyano Martin said. “If we didn’t shoot free throws well, it would have been a lot tougher to win. We’ve been working on free-throw shooting. I think it helped. We came through. It’s been a long time since we shot 14 out of 18 in a half.”

Callaway had a balanced scoring attack, with Haley Holliday and Qua Beasley leading the way with 12 points apiece.

Holliday was 4-of-4 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter.

Kierra Jackson added 11 points and Chyna Cameron scored nine, and those two players were each 3-of-4 from the line in the final quarter.

Cameron and Jackson each had 11 rebounds, and Holliday had seven.

The Lady Cavaliers, who trailed by a point after three periods, seemed to have things under control when they went up by eight with a little more than three minutes to play.

Holliday made four consecutive free throws to give Callaway a 44-36 lead.

Lamar County hung tough, though.

After getting with three, Lamar County scored with two seconds left to cut Callaway’s lead to one.

Callaway was able to successfully inbound the ball, and it held on for the one-point win.

“Lamar County’s not bad,” Martin said. “They just blew out Temple. That’s a good win.”

It was Callaway’s first win at home after four losses, and Martin feels the team is playing much better on the road.

“We’re kind of sleep-walking at home right now,” Martin said. “We’re not playing well at home. Ever since I’ve been here, we’ve played better on the road.”

Callaway will step out of the region for a road game against East Coweta today.

Callaway returns to region play on Tuesday against Jordan at home.