HANCEVILLE — East Limestone’s varsity boys scratched and clawed until the bitter end on Thursday.

Unfortunately for the Class 5A No. 4 Indians, though, it wasn’t quite enough to advance to the Elite Eight.

No. 8 Guntersville put together a game-sealing run in the fourth quarter — coming directly after East Limestone star Zak Cain fouled out — to notch a 70-56 win at the Northwest Regional Tournament.

The teams battled throughout an action-packed contest that featured multiple lead changes, with Guntersville holding a 51-49 advantage at the 4:27 mark of the final period.

But Cain, who led the Indians with 24 points, was whistled for his apparent fifth foul shortly afterward.

The Wildcats closed with a 19-7 run from there, aided by eight free throws to help seal the deal.

“We had some miscommunication on things that took the game out of our hands a little bit,” East Limestone coach Jake Moran said. “It was tough … it was tough. He only had four fouls. Even the paper (stat sheet) says it. I don’t know where the miscommunication was, but losing our leader and everything he brings to the table — his points, rebounds, assists — with four minutes left was tough.

“Overall, though, a good game to be a part of and coach in — two Top 5 teams going at it. Hats off to them for finding a way to win at the end.”

Jeb Blanton joined Cain in double figures with 10, while Riley Groce and Braylen Gill notched six apiece.

East Limestone graduates five quality seniors in Cain, Groce, Gill, Blanton and Charles Burgess — a group that helped the Indians earn 23 victories, a county tournament championship and an area title en route to a Sweet 16 appearance.

And while Moran will miss them all, he singled out Cain for everything he’s meant to the program.

“The kid is the real deal,” he said. “He’s going to be hard to replace, if at all replaceable. I’m going to miss the heck out of him. Not only is he one of our best players, but he’s one of the best kids in the school. I can’t wait for him to get to college and become the player he’s going to be at that level.”