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By Ray Hamill — Two years after leaving Cal Poly Humboldt, former Big 5 MVP Jadence Clifton will return to Lumberjack Arena on Thursday night, when the Jacks entertain Chico State in their season finale in women’s basketball.

After playing one year for the Lumberjacks, Clifton transferred to Academy of Art for her sophomore campaign before joining Chico State this season.

And it’s a move that appears to have paid dividends for the former Del Norte Warrior, with Chico State enjoying a more successful season than the Lumberjacks.

Clifton, who has appeared in 25 games for the Wildcats, is headed to the postseason no matter what happens on Thursday, while the Jacks saw their playoff hopes end this past weekend.

A big crowd from Crescent City is expected for the return of one of the most influential local players over the past few years and a player who became Del Norte High’s all-time leading scorer during her time there.

The junior guard also was a McDonald’s All-American nominee during her time at Del Norte.

Clifton is averaging 5.8 points and 2.9 rebounds for the Wildcats, who have already clinched a spot in the California Collegiate Athletic Association and are guaranteed to finish second in the conference.

Clifton also has been a threat from downtown and is shooting a team-high 52 percent from 3-point range.

The Chico women are 19-8 overall and 15-6 in the CCAA.

Thursday’s game tips off at 5:30 p.m. and will be part of a doubleheader, with the Chico and Humboldt men also playing at 7:30 p.m.

Clifton scored eight points in the first meeting between the two teams in Chico earlier this season, which the Wildcats won comfortably 80-56.

She also had five rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals in the win.

The Jacks are coming off a 72-66 win against Cal State Dominguez Hills over the weekend, but saw their playoff hopes end in what has been a competitive CCAA this winter.

Even a victory on Thursday won’t be enough to see the Jacks place in the top six and earn a postseason tournament berth after they lost four of their last six games.

Chico will receive an opening-round bye in next week’s conference tournament.

The Humboldt women are 10-11 in the CCAA and 12-13 overall.