WARREN, Ark. – The first senior boys game in the new Lumberjack Arena was one that will be talked about in Warren for years to come as Antonio “AJ” Jordan knocked down a buzzer-beating, game-winning basket to lift the Lumberjacks to a pivotal 8-4A conference win over Monticello by a score of 49-48.
Top photo: Antonio Jordan sinks a buzzer-beating shot to give Warren a last-second win over Monticello in the first senior Lumberjack game played at Lumberjack Arena Friday night, January 27, 2023. Photo by Robert Camp.
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Warren improves to 6-7 overall and 4-4 in league play with the dramatic win over the Billies. The Lumberjacks were led by another double-double from Jordan as he paced all scorers with 28 points and secured 10 rebounds. Additionally, the talented sophomore also tallied four blocks on the night.
The Jacks trailed by a score of 45-44 late in the final frame before Jordan nailed a deep three-pointer to give the edge to the home team 47-45. Monticello struggled to find a shot on the next possession, but threw up a three-pointer of their own from several feet behind the arc that was nothing but net for a 48-47 margin with eight seconds left in the game.
Warren elected not to call timeout and inbounded the ball to Jordan as Monticello appeared to still be in awe and celebration of its made shot. The Lumberjack sophomore went coast-to-coast and took on two Billies’ defenders, absorbed the contact, and knocked down the game-winner in the lane to give Warren the one-point win at 49-48 as the final horn sounded.
The Lumberjacks received a solid effort from Malik Day as the senior posted six points and two rebounds. Jordyn Ingram and Dontavion Blueford were solid for the Orange and Black off the bench with five points and two boards apiece. Neon’dre Thomas chipped in with three points and two rebounds, while Treylon Jackson added a two-point bucket and one board on the night. Senior Jalin Lee collected seven rebounds for the home team.
The start of the senior boys era in Lumberjack Arena was ominous as the Billies raced out to a 16-9 lead after one period. However, Warren bounced back in a huge way with a 23-6 second quarter to take a 32-22 advantage into halftime. Jordan scored 11 points in the second frame, while all five of Blueford’s points came in the period prior to halftime. Ingram knocked home a three-pointer with Day and Jackson scoring a basket each in the fruitful second quarter.
As good as the second quarter was for Warren, the third quarter proved to be just the opposite. Monticello outscored the Jacks 19-4 as they began to press the home team and force a number of turnovers. The Billies took a 41-36 advantage into the final period to set up the dramatic Warren comeback.
Warren struggled to get anything going in the final quarter, but luckily Monticello went on a drought of its own. Jordan was finally able to get back into the swing of things after a scoreless third quarter. He earned 12 of the Jacks’ 13 points in the frame as Warren outscored the Billies 13-7 in the exciting final period, including the dramatic game-winner.
Warren improves their overall record to 6-7 and 4-4 in the 8-4A.
The Lumberjacks return to action on Tuesday, Jan. 31 inside Lumberjack Arena with another pivotal conference showdown against Stuttgart. Tip-off against the Ricebirds will be after the conclusion of the Warren/Stuttgart senior girls game that begins at 5:30 p.m.
Watch the game winning shot courtesy of the Warren Lumberjack Booster Club below:
Editor’s Note: I would like to say a big thank you to Dennen Cuthbertson for filling in for me in covering Friday’s games. I have been under the weather this week and was crushed to not be able to attend the first senior games in the new Arena, but Dennen did a marvelous job! Also a big thanks to Robert Camp for his photography work in my absence.
Rob Reep, Saline River Chronicle Owner