By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

It was over early.

The Callaway Cavaliers (1-1), taking on the over-matched Heard County Braves in their Region 5-AA opener, built a 19-point lead in the first quarter, and they rolled to a 77-34 home victory on Tuesday night.

Callaway was coming off a hard-fought 75-71 loss to LaGrange in its season opener on Monday.

One day later the Cavaliers were back on the court for their second game, and there was no suspense.

The Cavaliers were nearly perfect from the field in the first quarter in building a 23-4 lead, and they were ahead 41-13 at the half and 63-23 after three quarters.

The Cavaliers are in the early stages of a season filled with promise.

Callaway reached the Class AA state quarterfinals last season, and most of the players responsible for that success have returned.

One of those players is junior guard Demetrius Coleman, who scored 43 points in an overtime victory over Banks County in the first round of the state playoffs last season.

“We’re really looking forward to (the season),” Coleman said. “We know what coach (Terry) Hayes wants from us, and we’re coming together as a team.”

Coleman led the Cavaliers with 19 points in Tuesday’s game, with 10 of those points coming in the second quarter.

Antinez Blount added 16 points, and he helped the Cavaliers get off to a quick start with 13 points in the first quarter.

The red-hot Blount made three 3-pointers in the first quarter, and his teammates did a nice job of feeding him the ball.

“When anybody’s hot, we try to get the ball to them,” Coleman said.

Javontay Boddie added nine points for Callaway, and Marvize Moss added eight points, all in the second half.

Kalajh Harrison chipped in with seven points, all in the third quarter.

Callaway will continue its region schedule at Lamar County on Thursday.