WARREN, Ark. – The 2023 Lumberjack Basketball season came to an end Wednesday night, February 22 as the Jacks fell to number one-seed Magnolia by the final of 59-28 in round one of the 4A South Regional Tournament hosted at Lumberjack Arena.

Top photo: Malik Day drives the baseline in Warren’s loss to Magnolia in the 4A South Regional Tournament Wednesday evening. Photo by Saline River Chronicle.

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The orange and black burst out of the gates with a high intensity first quarter. It was certainly the type of tempo Coach Joseph Anders would want from his team in a big game of this nature, and it’s a game of this magnitude that the program wants to be playing.

Warren’s first bucket of the night came from a forced turnover as Antonio Jordan snatched a steal and found Jalin Lee at the other end for an easy lay in. Jordan contributed his first points of the game at the 4:20 mark, hitting a three to bring the Jacks to within one of Magnolia at 6-5. The Jacks continued to fire away. Malik Day, Jordyn Ingram, and Neon’dre Thomas all got on the board in the opening period as well to help the Jacks to a 10-8 lead.

Jordan and Day each hit shots from beyond the arc in the second quarter, but other than that the offensive opportunities became harder to come by. Warren scored just seven points in the second quarter and Magnolia took a 22-17 advantage into halftime.

Again Warren struggled to find success on the offensive end of the floor in the third and fourth quarters. Jordan and Ingram each recorded points from the field, but no other Jack was able to connect. Day would hit a free-throw in the fourth, but the Panthers of Magnolia’s quality and depth showed through. They extended their lead in the third to 36-23 and walked away after the fourth with a 59-28 win over Warren.

Antonio Jordan led Warren with 12 points. Jordyn Ingram followed him with seven, while Malik Day scored six. Jalin Lee had two and Neon’dre Thomas one.

Warren uncharacteristically struggled on the boards. Jordan, Ingram, and Lee each had four rebounds. Jayden Ridgell and Dontavion Bluford each had a rebound on the night.

Credit to the Lumberjacks. They battled till the end and finish a good season of basketball at 11-9 overall. Warren finished fourth in the 8-4A.

They say goodbye to seniors Donatavion Bluford, Malik Day, and Jalin Lee as graduation approaches in a few months.

Congratulations to the Lumberjacks on a successful season!

Also, a huge thank you to our sponsors for this year. Without their support coverage of Lumberjack and Lady Jack Basketball would not have been possible. If you see one of the above sponsors or an employee of their business, please say thank you for helping deliver free Lumberjack and Lady Jack sports coverage this season.

Rob Reep, Saline River Chronicle

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