By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

The Callaway Lady Cavaliers are above .500 in region play for the first time this season, and sophomore guard Gabrielle Johnson is a key reason why.

Johnson, after scoring 25 points in Saturday’s win over Jordan, poured in 27 points on Tuesday night as Callaway beat Temple 38-26.

Callaway (5-6 overall) improved to 4-3 in Region 5-AA, and it has won four of its past five region games.

“I was proud of all the girls,” Callaway head coach Deyano Martin said. “They all hustled.”

Without question the star of the game, though, was Johnson, who made four 3-pointers and was 9-of-10 from the free-throw line.

Johnson has been Callaway’s leading scorer in nearly every game this season, and she’s been unstoppable the past two games.

The Lady Cavaliers were ahead 16-2 after the first quarter, with Johnson making two 3-pointers while scoring 12 points.

Callaway struggled offensively in the second quarter with just four points, and its lead was down to 20-12 heading to the halftime break.

The Lady Cavaliers were ahead 27-21 through three quarters, and they were able to put it away in the final quarter.

In Tuesday’s boys’ game, Callaway improved to 4-2 in region play with a 66-56 victory.

It was important win for Callaway, which lost at Temple earlier in the season.

“It was a great win, and I thought my bench did a good job,” said Terry Hayes, Callaway’s head coach.

Jacob Freeman led the Cavaliers with 16 points, and Antinez Blount added 15 points, including six points in the fourth quarter as Callaway put it away.

Javontay Boddie contributed 11 points, and Duke Simpson and Demetrius Coleman had nine points apiece.

The Cavaliers were clinging to a 47-43 advantage when Boddie drained a 3-pointer moments into the fourth quarter to push the lead to seven.

The Cavaliers led by at least six points the rest of the way.

“The defense in the second half was good,” Hayes said. “It was a team effort.”

Callaway visits Heard County on Friday.