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On Wednesday, the Callaway boys basketball team was overwhelmed by a fast-paced Columbia team, losing an important region matchup 73-53. 

The Cavaliers had their work cut out for them coming into the game as Columbia is the reining region champions, coming off a season in which the Eagles made it all the way to the state semifinals.

The Cavaliers could not overcome a slow start offensively as Columbia found a way to get easy baskets from the opening whistle until the final buzzer. 

By the end of the first quarter, the Cavaliers were already in a 20-6 hole. The Callaway defense was able to get a bit more traction in the second quarter, but it did not matter as the Eagles took a 32-16 lead into halftime. 

The other side of the break was not much better for the Cavaliers as the home team was outscored 31-27 over the final two quarters.

DeShun Coleman put it all on the line for the Cavaliers in a losing effort, scoring a game-high 24 points. He came out of halftime on a mission, scoring 20 of Callaway’s 22 points in the third quarter. 

The next highest scorer on the team was Kaiden James with six points as Coleman had little help on the offensive side.

It has been an up-and-down season for the Cavaliers so far as they have now lost two games in a row after winning their two previous games. Callaway (5-8) (2-5) will have an important road region game against Towers on Friday. The Cavaliers lost to Towers 58-55 in their season opener on Dec. 5.