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By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

The Callaway Cavaliers have lost twice to Spencer this season, and they’re hoping for a different result the third time around.

Callaway, which beat Temple 52-42 on Thursday in the semifinals of the Region 5-AA tournament, will face home-standing Spencer on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the region-championship game.

Callaway (14-6 overall) brings a five-game winning streak into the game, and it will try to take down Spencer on its home court.

In the first meeting between the two teams at Spencer, it went down to the wire, with Callaway losing 68-67.

In the rematch at Callaway, Spencer eased to an 88-46 win.

Terry Hayes, Callaway’s veteran head coach, wants his players to go in believing they can win.

“It’s a mind-set,” Hayes said. “We’re the underdog. All we’ve got to do is go out and perform.”

Regardless of the outcome of Saturday’s game, Callaway will host a first-round game in the state tournament next week.

Callaway hasn’t hosted a state game since 2017 when it beat Coosa in the first round.

Also on Saturday, Callaway’s girls’ team will play Heard County at 3 p.m. in the third-place game.

Callaway, the tournament’s number four seed, was hoping to play for the championship, but it lost to Lamar County 53-46 on Thursday.

“Saturday’s going to be tough,” Callaway head coach Deyano Martin said. “It’ll be a tough game for both teams. But, you have to show up and get the best seed you can get.”

Win or lose, Callaway will be on the road for the first round of the state tournament.

REGION 5-AA TOURNAMENT

SATURDAY

3 p.m. – Callaway vs. Heard County in girls’ third-place game

4:30 p.m. – Jordan vs. Temple in boys’ third-place game

6 p.m. – Lamar County vs. Bremen in girls’ championship game

7:30 p.m. – Callaway vs. Spencer in boys’ championship game