MONTICELLO, Ark. – Warren sophomore Antonio Jordan scored a career high 41 points and posted a double-double Friday night, December 30, 2022 as the Lumberjacks beat the Ouachita High Warriors of Donaldson, Arkansas by the final of 64-54 on the final day of the Commercial Bank SouthEast Arkansas Holiday Classic tournament in Monticello hosted by Drew Central.
Top photo: Warren sophomore Antonio Jordan slams home a fourth quarter dunk to help secure a Lumberjack win over Ouachita High Friday night in the Commercial Bank SouthEast Arkansas Holiday Classic. Photo by Saline River Chronicle.
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The Ouachita High Warriors, who come from Donaldson, Arkansas, a community about halfway between Arkadelphia and Malvern, were arguably the best three-point shooting team in this week’s Holiday Classic. They opened Friday evenings affair by knocking down three treys in a row early in the first to take a 9-0 lead.
Unshaken, Warren roared back to tie things up at 9-9 with 4:14 to go in the first quarter. Warren’s Jayden Ridgell downed a three in the opening minutes, and Antonio Jordan contributed another eight points to help Warren end the first period down three at 14-11.
A fairly even second quarter left Warren behind 32-27 at the half.
After the break the Lumberjacks came out with a vengeance, playing with pace and a lockdown defense. Ouachita’s biggest success remained beyond the three-point line, particularly from senior Cameron Mattingly. Mattingly and Jordan traded scores back and forth. Warren took the lead with around a minutes remaining in the third period. They went to the fourth leading Ouachita 44-43.
Warren owned the final period of play, outscoring Ouachita 20-11. Jordan posted 13 points in the fourth quarter, capping off a memorable performance not just for a sophomore, but any Lumberjack wearing the orange and black.
The Jacks won by the final of 64-54, finishing third in the Commercial Bank SouthEast Arkansas Holiday Classic tournament. Drew Central would win the tournament in the game after.
Without debate, Antonio Jordan was named the Saline River Chronicle Player of the Game. The sophomore scored 41 points and recorded 13 rebounds to complete the double-double.
Point guard Malik Day and shooting guard Neon’dre Thomas each scored seven on the night.
Cody Weatherspoon provided some crucial minutes in relief for Day at point, hitting a massive three in the fourth which effectively shut down a potential Ouachita comeback. His three points were matched by Jayden Ridgell, who continues to improve game-by-game.
Senior guard Jalin Lee scored a bucket as well, but his defensive tenacity is proving a real problem for any opposition. Lee also took down six rebounds, second only to Jordan.
Jordyn Ingram scored one, but also gave some quality minutes.
Warren goes to 2-3 on the year ahead of a huge opening 8-4A Conference game on the road against the Monticello Billies next Tuesday night, January 3, 2023. That game will tip off immediately following the Ladies’ game which starts at 5:30 p.m.
