Jacks Show Promise In Inaugural Game

The Warren Lumberjacks, led by Coach Anthony Avery, hosted the Dollarway Cardinals and showcased their talents in the inaugural game of the 2005-2006 season, Tuesday, November 29th.  The team left with a heart-breaking 58-55 loss.
 

The first quarter seemed to take on a fast-paced atmosphere.  The Jacks showed their speed by racing up and down the court on the Cardinals.  The first quarter ended with Warren leading 18-17.

The second quarter took a different route.  Several threes from Dollarway took their toll while five missed free-throws by Warren helped end the half with the Cardinals up 27-24.

In the second half, the Jacks came out looking to retake the lead.  In the third quarter the Cardinals began to leave the Jacks behind taking a six-point lead with 3:45 remaining in the quarter.  However, the Jacks refused to fall cutting the Redbirds' lead to 34-33.  With a last second three-pointer in the third quarter by Senior Derrick Bullard, the Jacks started the fourth with a 42-39 deficit.

In the fourth quarter, fatigue set in, pouring out its wrath on the Jacks' defense.  However, Avery's players still clung to a 45-41 deficit.  Senior A.J. Avery made a free throw to bring the score to 45-42 and later drained a three-pointer giving the Lumberjacks a 47-46 lead with 3:49 remaining in the game.  With 2:05 left, Dollarway regained the lead at 52-47.  With 37 seconds left on the game clock, Dollarway led 56-55.  Following a questionable traveling violation against Warren, the Jacks were placed into a fouling situation.  Dollarway made one free throw giving the Cardinals a 58-55 lead.  With only seconds remaining, the Jacks moved the ball swiftly down the court, but could not get the shot off in time.  The buzzer sounded ending the game with a score of 58-55 in favor of Dollarway.  As the great coach Vince Lombardi once said, "We didn't lose.  We just ran out of time."

A.J. Avery led the team in total points posting 21 on the board.  Senior Chanc Davis and Sophomore Greg Childs also racked up double-digit figures with Davis scoring 12 and Childs 15.  Senior Derrick Bullard posted a three-pointer while Tee Lexing scored three points for the 'Jacks.  Senior Jaron Jefferson added one point to the 'Jacks total. 

In the season opener, Coach Avery saw promise and free-throw work in the future of his 'Jacks.  The team scored on 14 of 29 free throw attempts and hit 3 three-pointers beyond the arch.

The starters for the Lumberjacks were #23 Tee Lexing, #11 Moorehead Jordan, #25 Chanc Davis, #51 Gerald Thompson, and #31 A.J. Avery.

The next game for the Jacks will be in the Fordyce Tournament Wednesday, November 30th in Fordyce, Arkansas against Fountain Lake.