Whata Tournament
Lions Win Whataburger Tourney
By Krissy Boxell
January 7, 2008

The annual Whataburger Tournament has always been a highly anticipated challenge for the Ponder Lions, going against tough teams in the surrounding area. Over the holiday break, the varsity boys competed in the tournament again, winning 1st place for the first time in Ponder High School history.

On Dec. 27, the Lions began the tournament, taking on the private school All Saints. The game ended in a landslide victory for Ponder, 72-42.

In the second game, Ponder played 3A Burkburnett, scraping by with a four-point lead. The final score of the game was 69-65.

Next, 3A Tyler Chapel Hill attempted to compete with Ponder in the third round. The varsity boys pulled through again to win with a score of 52-47, sending them into the championships.

Finally, the Lions took on the home team, Nolan Catholic, in the epic fourth round of the tournament. After a hard-fought nail-biter, the Ponder Lions won the game, taking 1st place for the first time. Senior Nathan McPherson and sophomore Scott Gregg were both named to the All Tournament team with senior Calvin Redfearn being name the Tournament MVP.

“Though it was an honor to be named tournament MVP,” Redfearn said, “winning the Whataburger Tournament was a milestone in our quest to the state tournament.”

Lady Lions Win at ACC

By Lindsey Allen
January 7, 2008

The Lady Lions played at the home of the professional basketball team, the Dallas Mavericks, on Dec. 21. Though the Ponder Boys had played there before, this was the first time for the girls’ team to compete at the American Airlines Center.

“I enjoyed playing at the ACC because of the atmosphere,” senior Angeleena Young said.

Another thing the Lady Lions and their fans loved was the outcome of the game. Graham, the opponent, could not keep up with the swift moves of the Ponder players. PHS won 61-36.

“It was cool to have the opportunity to play on that court,” senior Candice Smith said, “but defeating the other team made it that much better.”

With an overall record of 15-8 and a district record of 3-2, the Lady Lions are on the right track to a successful season.

After victory at the American Airlines Center, the team proceeded to watch a Mavericks’ game with many Ponder fans and then celebrated at Dick’s Last Resort, a fun restaurant.

The girls hope to celebrate after upcoming games against Aubrey on Jan. 8 in Ponder and Anna, in Anna, on Jan. 11.

The Starting Line
Direction
by John Boyer
January 7, 2008

“This new record is definitely something we are all very proud of,” says band chief Kenny Vasoli, whose brainchild grew up into The Starting Line about eight years ago. And he should be, as Direction, the first album to be released since they called it quits with Geffen Records in 2005 and subsequently signed with Virgin, contains the tracks that would make any indie modern power-pop rock quartet proud. Vasoli also claims to have looked to Bob Dylan and James Brown, but you likely won’t hear any resemblance; instead you’ll hear such tracks as the energetic title track, where the drums really tower over the other instruments, supplying the rhythm generously, the radio-friendly “ Island,” and the fast-paced “I Could Be Wrong.” Somewhere in between, Vasoli primes himself for falsetto, as does lead guitarist Matt Watts for a pattern of thinly arpeggiated guitar parts, such as on “Hurry,” and “Something Left to Give.” Direction is a decent album for fans of most young, modern rock bands.