It's State Tournament time in Arkansas. This is the time of year that can really get your blood pumping. From here on out it is do or die. Wednesday night the Warren Lumberjacks and Heber Springs squared off in the first round of the AAA State Tournament. It would not end good for the Jacks. They suffered a season ending 63-62 overtime loss.

Warren saw itself in foul trouble early and often through out the game.  The first quarter was simply unpredictable.  Heber Springs started off hot by banking in 6 out of 10 three pointers to take a hard fought 20-15 lead to the second quarter.

The second came and the hot shooting of Heber Springs went into remission as the Lumberjacks took charge on defense causing all sorts of problems for Heber.  Warren took charge off Heber's bad shooting and went on a 13-2 run in the second quarter to regain the lead 30-22 at half.

The second half is where Warren found trouble in the form of fouls.  Senior A.J. Avery was called for a foul with over 3 minutes to go in the third which gave him four for the game.  Avery was forced to sit on the bench and soon afterwards Sophomore Greg Childs fouled and was given his third.  The panthers were down by eight before the fouls occurred, but soon afterwards they found themselves down by only two.  At the end of the third Warren hung onto the lead 44-38.

Senior Chanc Davis lead a surge for the 'Jacks as they went up 54-47 with 2:33 left in the game.  The fans were on their feet seeing a W almost coming to a grasp for the 'Jacks.  Suddenly they saw that win slipping away as Heber Springs started a commanding comeback, not from the outside, but from the paint.  Heber tied Warren at the end of the game to send the thriller into overtime.

Overtime came and so did desperation shots.  With 22 seconds left in the game Warren saw Panther's Jace Holmes make a lay-up to put them ahead 63-60 over Warren.  Warren was able to make one lay-up which made the game 63-62 in favor of the Panthers which would turn out to be the final score.

Warren out-rebounded the Panthers 42-15.  Warren was lead by A. J. Avery with 20 points.  Greg Childs added 15 points and 8 rebounds.  Chanc Davis finished with 12 points and five total steals.  Heber Springs was lead by Laithe Massey with 19 points and Austin Lay with 18 points including shooting 5 of 12 from beyond the arc.

Warren had a great year and nothing to hang their heads about.  The 'Jacks have now advanced to the State Tournament two years in a row which is a feat in itself.  We look forward to another season in 2006-2007.

www.whsathletics.org congratulates the Warren Lumberjack basketball team on a wonderful season. Because of this loss, the Warren Lumberjack baseball team will play White Hall on Friday, March 3, 2006 at 4:00 in White Hall.