Lady Lions Start District
With a “W”
By Kristen Kimmel
December 10, 2007

Varsity

District play has finally begun for the Lady Lions. The girls dominated Friday night playing their first district game of the season. They took on the Farmerettes in Farmersville. The girls were ahead from the tip off throughout the entire game, ending with a score of 59-38. Senior Candice Smith lead the team with 14 points, closely followed by juniors Kendra Copp and Sarah Ream with 11 points each.

“I was pretty pleased by the way we played,” Ream said. “Everyone contributed their fare share to get the win.”

Next up for the Lady Lions is the district rivalry, Krum. The Lady Bobcats placed first in the district last year and made it a few rounds deep in the playoffs. They’ve already defeated the Lady Lions in a close game for first place in the Nazareth Tournament last weekend.

“It’s good to have one win out of the way,” Copp said. “Now we’re preparing for tomorrow night to get our second win.”

The Lady Lions will take on the Bobcats in Krum tomorrow night.

Junior Varsity

The JV girls tore up the court in Farmersville defeating the Farmerettes making their district title 1-0. The Lady Lions were ahead the entire game and were able to keep it together with the final score of 26-38.

“We played hard and pulled through in the end,” sophomore Lacohn Cox said. “It’s a good way to start off district.”

The girls take on the Lady Bobcats tomorrow for the second time this year. The Lady Lions played Krum in the Ponder Tournament resulting in a loss by only seven points.

“We’re anticipating a tough game tomorrow, but we’re sure we can beat them this time,” sophomore Sealy Vardell said.

Halfway to Hazard
By John Boyer
December 10, 2007

Halfway to Hazard Review
By John Boyer
December 10, 2007

Country music fans should be proud of Halfway to Hazard, the latest songwriting duo to come out of Nashville. Chad Warrix and David Tolliver, childhood friends and Kentucky natives, have released their eponymous debut album, a collection of twelve songs whose titles, which include the rumbling opener “Countrified”, “Country ‘Till the Day We Die”, and the somewhat lyrically redundant “Welcome to Nashville”, make obvious the preferred genre of the group.

Despite their Nashville roots, Halfway to Hazard sometimes deviates from the formula of modern country a bit. Their songs, especially “Countrified”, reflect their knowledge of rock n’ roll, undoubtedly a result of their past interests and experience with rock music and garage bands. Another thing worth noting is that HTH doesn’t seem bothered about getting personal, introspective, and sensitive, about sharing their deep feelings with a wide audience. “Daisy”, a single letting their emotions stream into and make a melancholy ballad on their album. Whether their deep, emotional nature is a positive thing for them, or whether or not it gives their music a feminine touch, is open to debate.

This album is recommended for country aficionados and fans of old rock n’ roll, the “roots of rock” sound. HTH haven’t really been able to cultivate a trademark sound yet, as this is only their debut; this is more of an album that makes them stepping stones, rising stars but still under the radar. Their sound will be mostly enjoyed by hardcore country fans who do love that sound, even if it is underdeveloped and quite common.

Coming this week . . .

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
By Ashley Laughlin
December 10, 2007

The fifth installment of the highly prized Harry Potter films is set to drop this Tuesday to DVD. To the everyday moviegoer, the film is an exciting, plot twisting, fairly steady thrill. But, to a major book series fan, the movie may be a slight disappointment. At 139 minutes, the movie is the shortest of all the films yet, but was easily the largest book. With that said, a lot of what had seemed to be important parts to the overall story, were cut.

The movie begins with Harry yet again with the Dursleys, living in frustration. After performing magic in front of his muggle cousin, Harry is temporarily suspended from Hogwarts. After attending a trial, he is eventually reinstated, but major changes are made within the Ministry of Magic and a new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher is again appointed to Hogwarts.

Possibly the worst of all the teachers yet, she is there to keep an eye on the supposed treacherous Harry Potter. With the two of them undeniably not seeing eye to eye, Harry gets fed up with her teaching and takes it upon himself to coach select Hogwarts students against dark magic, seeing that he has now single-handedly fought, and defeated, the dark lord four times. Along side him, a group of wizards and witches that had fought against Lord Voldemort in his last reign of power rise up again. This group is called, The Order of the Phoenix, the title of the story.

Although this story may be condensed in some ways, it is still a worthwhile addition to your movie library. It definitely has its share of exciting scenes and all of our favorite returning cast members. As this film takes us one step closer to a conclusion between how the wizarding world will be ruled, whether Harry will be able to lead it out of darkness, or if Volemort takes over, it is a thrilling roller coaster of good and evil.

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson

Rated: PG-13 for sequences of fantasy violence and frightening images

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix hits the shelves on Dec. 11.