By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

The Calera High School boys’ basketball team is back in the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 4A Central Region tournament after a one-year absence following an 83-73 win on the road at Livingston in a Class 4A sub-region contest Feb. 18.

The Eagles (22-8) will face Dadeville in the AHSAA Class 4A Central Region tournament semifinals Feb. 23 at 1:30 p.m. at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome on the Alabama State University campus in Montgomery.

Deondre Haynes led Calera with a game-high 35 points in the victory.

Jeremy Hyde added 15 points. Ronnie Clark chipped in 13 points in the win.

The Eagles had to overcome a packed gymnasium full of fans rooting for host Livingston in the school’s final home contest. Livingston High School and Sumter County High School will consolidate during the summer to form one school.

Calera coach Robert Burdette said his team performed well under the pressure.

“Anytime you go on the road it’s difficult,” Burdette said. “You know you’re going to play a good team. You’re going to have a vocal crowd and there’s a lot of basketball tradition at Livingston. It’s the last home game in the gym and when you put all of those together, the cards are kind of stacked up against you.”

The Eagles jumped out to a nine-point halftime lead against Livingston.

However, Livingston opened the second half with a 15-0 run to take a six-point advantage in the third quarter.

Burdette said the Eagles kept their composure despite the Livingston run and took care of business in the fourth quarter.

“Our kids responded,” Burdette said. “We made a lot of plays down the stretch.”