Jacks finish off regular season in style with victory over Crossett, now head to 4A South Regional Tourney next week

WARREN, Ark. – In the final game of regular season play the Warren Lumberjack basketball team downed Crossett for the second time this season by the final of 71-58 in front of a big home crowd at Lumberjack Arena in Warren Friday night, February 17, 2023.

Top photo: Antonio Jordan rises above two Crossett defenders Friday during the first quarter in Warren’s win over the Eagles. Photo by Saline River Chronicle.

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Friday’s game brought to a close the 8-4A Conference season, but the final two weeks have been taxing on the orange and black who have played six games over the last 11 days. Two of those games came against the top two teams in the Conference. Warren came into Friday’s game vs. Crossett off the back of a big upset Thursday when they defeated the second-place finisher in the league, Little Rock Mills.

The Jacks jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead inside the first two minutes Friday night. Antonio Jordan got the crowd into things with a big block at around the 6:00-minute mark. Crossett’s offense stirred after the midway point of the first quarter. Warren led 9-5 with 2:47 to go in the opening period. The Eagles tied things up at 11-11 with a minute left. Crossett’s Jack Rice got hot from beyond the arc to help level the score. He would be a danger throughout for the Lumberjacks. Warren led 12-11 at the end of the first.

Malik Day hit three three-pointers for the Lumberjacks vs. Crossett Friday. Photo by Saline River Chronicle.

Four Lumberjacks hit from long distance in the second period. Point guard Malik Day, Jordyn Ingram, Don’Tavion Bluford, and Cody Weatherspoon all connected for threes. The Jacks doubled their first-quarter total to score 24 points in the second. They led 36-19 at the half.

Another third-quarter scoring drought hit the Jacks. Day would hit his second three of the night, however. Jalin Lee got in on the action as well with a bucket, and Jordan began to find his groove. Crossett wouldn’t go quietly though. They trailed Warren 48-36 going into the final eight minutes.

The Lumberjacks put together a thoroughly professional performance in the fourth. They stayed out of foul trouble, protected the ball, and buried the shots they needed to close the ballgame out. Day added his third trey and helped control the game with a calm demeanor on the offensive end for Warren. Ingram also came up with a couple of big baskets late on, while Jordan provided a resounding final blow to any hopes the Eagles might have had of a comeback. He scored 12 points in the fourth as Warren beat Crossett 71-58.

Jordyn Ingram scored 19 points and posted seven rebounds for Warren Friday vs. Crossett. Photo by Saline River Chronicle.

Jordyn Ingram was named the Saline River Chronicle Player of the Game. He scored 19 points, coming in just behind Jordan’s tally of 21. However, Ingram was again a consistent force, hitting big shots when Warren needed them. He posted a team high on the night seven rebounds.

Malik Day gets an honorable mention for his composed performance. The senior scored 13 points and posted three rebounds. He provided three crucial three-pointers which helped seal the deal.

Jayden Ridgell, Don’Tavion Bluford, and Cody Weatherspoon each posted five points. Ridgell also hauled in five rebounds.

Jalin Lee scored three, but the senior was again tenacious in defense and on the boards. He had six rebounds to his name by the end of the four quarters.

Warren finishes the 2023 regular season with an overall record of 11-8. The Jacks finish 8-4A League play at 9-5. That’s good enough to qualify the orange and black for a fourth-seed spot in the 4A South Regional Tournament starting next week. The Jacks will face the 7-4A Champions Magnolia in round one of the Tournament Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. at Lumberjack Arena, as Warren High is the host of this year’s regional.

A quick look at the final 8-4A table shows that Watson Chapel has been crowned the 2023 Conference Champions. Mills finishes second. Warren and Stuttgart each finish with a Conference record of 9-5, but the aggregate score tiebreaker went to Stuttgart. The Ricebirds place third, while Warren slots in at fourth. Missing out on postseason play are Monticello in fifth with a record of 7-7, Star City in sixth with a record of 3-11, Crossett in seventh with a record of 2-12, and Hamburg in eighth with a record of 1-13.

Saline River Chronicle will have continuing coverage of Warren’s season as they play Wednesday in the Regional Tournament.