HAMBURG, Ark. – In what could turn out to be a must-win game come the end of the season, the Warren Lumberjacks notched their third 8-4A Conference win and a third road win in a row Tuesday night, delivering a sound 77-54 drumming of Hamburg on the Lions’ home court.

Top photo: Sophomore Antonio Jordan drives in to the lane Tuesday at Hamburg. Photo by Saline River Chronicle.

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Warren carried a 2-2 Conference record into the ballgame. Sitting at .500 in the 8-4A had Warren situated in fifth place Tuesday morning, still very much in the thick of a battle for a coveted top-four spot in the league. The 8-4A is fairly top-heavy this season, as league leaders Watson Chapel(5-0), second place Mills(4-1), third place Monticello(3-1), and fourth place Stuttgart(3-2) are all extremely talented ball clubs. Warren has played both Monticello and Stuttgart to date, both of which were losses for the Jacks. The reverse home games against both could play out to be quite important before the season’s end. However, the competitive nature of this year’s 8-4A battle meant that Warren’s road games against Crossett, Hamburg, and Star City were almost must-gets for the lumbermen. And they have completed that trio of victories within the last week.

Tuesday got off to a slow start for the Jacks. A few turnovers plagued the squad earlier on. Warren’s talisman scorer Antonio Jordan was held to just four points in the first quarter. Warren stayed in the early battle in part to do some superb play by Jordyn Ingram. Ingram, who has come into his own over the last three games, contributed six points in the first to help Warren keep within striking distance of Hamburg. The Lions led Warren 17-15 after the first quarter.

Warren Head Coach Joseph Anders made a few adjustments going into the second period, including upping the tempo and applying a press. Hamburg struggled to deal with Warren’s athleticism. Five different Lumberjacks put points on the board from the field. Senior point guard Malik Day posted nine points alone in the second to help Warren to a 41-29 halftime lead.

After the break, Antonio Jordan’s game came to life. The sophomore exploded in the third with 12 points. Coupled with more intense-pressure defense, Hamburg fell away, unable to find an answer. Warren led 58-39 going into the fourth.

A 19-point fourth sealed the deal as the Lumberjacks hammered home a 77-54 win over Hamburg.

Antonio Jordan once again led the Lumberjacks on the scoresheet with 25. He recorded six rebounds on the night, a lower number for the Warren standout. However, Warren created a lot of turnovers throughout, which provided fewer rebounding opportunities on the defensive end of the floor.

Malik Day leading Warren’s defensive press Tuesday at Hamburg. Photo by Saline River Chronicle.

Malik Day earned Saline River Chronicle Player of the Game honors. His work at the point was spot on. His distribution led to seven different Lumberjacks getting on the scoresheet from the field. Day’s 16 points were his season high to date. Day was Warren’s lone three-point contributor Tuesday with two sunk shots from beyond the arc.

Neon’dre Thomas put together another wonderful performance for the orange and black. The sophomore was in double digits with 12 points and six rebounds.

Jordan Ingram scored nine. He posted one rebound.

Senior Jalin Lee scored seven, Treylon Jackson four, and Jayden Ridgell and Dontavion Bluford each had a bucket a piece.

The Lumberjacks improve their 8-4A Conference record to 3-2. They are now .500 on the season with an overall record of 5-5. Their attention now turns to Conference leaders Watson Chapel who they will face off against Friday night, January 20. Tip-off will take place immediately following the Lady Jacks game which starts at 5:30 p.m. that evening.

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