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It has been an up-and-down start to the season for the Callaway boys basketball team, but Friday proved to be a real up for the team as they edged out Elite Scholars Academy for a 60-47 victory.

It was the first region win since Callaway blew out McNair 72-18 on Dec. 12. After a slow start to the season that saw the Cavaliers drop four of its first five games under first-year head coach Kenny Coleman, the team has begun to find a groove. The Cavaliers have now won two in a row and three of their last five games.

The team is starting to figure out how to win close games which was a problem to start the season as five of their six losses this season have come by single-digits and the lone double-digit loss was on the road to reigning AAAAA state champions Valley (AL).

The Cavaliers controlled the majority of the game on Friday night but were still made to work for the victory.

After a back-and-forth start, the Cavaliers mentally wrestled momentum away from ESA and were able to mount a late first-quarter charge that saw them take a 19-7 lead into the second quarter. The Royal Knights were able to close that lead to 11 points going into halftime, but the Cavaliers consistently answered any run they had with one of their own.

It was truly a balanced offensive attack for the Cavaliers, who had nine different players score in the game. DeShun Coleman led the offensive charge with 13 points while Tyrus Edwards, Landon Thomas and Bryceton Sanders all scored 10 points each to help power the Cavaliers to an important win.

Callaway (5-6) is now 2-3 in region play. The Cavaliers will have a chance to get back to .500 on Saturday when they travel to Eagle’s Landing for another important region game.