Ponder students cheer the Lions as they leave for the state basketball tourney.

Coach Boxell and Ponder Lions team at pep rally.

Cheerleaders introduce the Ponder Lions in skit at Pep Rally.
Krissy "Coach" Boxell shown with microphone.y

“We’re going to DADGUM State!” said Krissy Boxell, as she imitated Coach Boxell in a skit performed by the cheerleaders at the pep rally for the state-bound boy’s basketball team Wednesday morning. Each cheerleader, representing a different player, dribbled across the court to shoot a layup under the guidance of “Coach Boxell.” The skit poked a little fun at Coach Boxell and the team members to get the crowd laughing.

After the skit, Coach Young and Coach Holt gave short speeches, remarking on how hard the team has worked to get to the state tournament. Coach Boxell told the crowd to come support the Ponder Lions at their game on Thursday against Tahoka. The pep rally came to a close with several encouraging chants performed by the cheerleaders.

High school, junior high, and elementary students all filed outside to form a spirit line to send off the buses heading to Austin. The spirit of the pep rally truly showed the Ponder Lions Basketball Team that “We Believe.”

See Photo Gallery on Photos page.

Senior Matt Wolodzko (above) and Sophomore
Nathan McPherson (below) seal the victory for Ponder with
free throws in the 4th quarter.

State-bound!

Ponder knocks off Clarksville to Advance to State

By Kari Routh
March 4, 2006

The Ponder Lions took on the 7th ranked Clarksville Tigers Saturday, March 4, in the Class 2A Region 2 Final. Clarksville won the tip off, but failed to score on their 1st possession. Ponder’s Nathan McPherson scored the first points of the game and a 3 from senior Daniel McPherson put the Lions up 5-2 early in the 1st quarter. Point Guard Tanner Duessen then contributed the next two baskets to put Ponder up 9-4. The score at the end of the 1st quarter was 14-11. The second quarter was a back-and-forth battle and the score at the half was tied 24-24.

Clarksville scored first in the 2nd half, but a basket from senior guard Matt Wolodzko tied the game back up for the Lions. A layup from Nathan McPherson gave Ponder a 30-28 lead with 4:30 left to play. Ponder would not be able to maintain this lead, however, and Clarksville had a 37-33 lead at the end of the 3rd. Ponder battled back in the fourth, only allowing Clarksville to score 1 point in the fourth quarter. Wolodzko and Nathan McPherson hit key freethrows at the end to give Ponder the victory. Nathan McPherson went 4/4 from the line, while Wolodzko only missed one of his 4 attempts. The final score was 45-38. Ponder advances to the state semi-finals and will play Thursday at 10:30 against Tahoka.

Ponder Charges Past Keene
by Kari Routh
March 3, 2006


Senior Daniel Lujan goes over the Keene defense
for a layup during the Regional Semi-final game.

Ponder was able to defeat Keene 61-55 Friday, March 3rd, to move on to the Regional Final. Senior Daniel Lujan started off the game by scoring the first 2 buckets off of offensive rebounds. Despite the early start, however, Keene led Ponder 5-4 with 4:30 left to play in the 1st. But a 3-pointer from Daniel McPherson and a rebound-putback from senior Seth Singleton helped Ponder to a 13-9 lead at the end of the 1st quarter. Ponder continued to maintain their lead through the 2nd quarter and the score in the 1st half was 26-21.

Ponder scored early in the second half with baskets from Lujan and Daniel McPherson. Ponder managed to hold Keene scoreless until there was less than 4:30 to play in the 3rd. Ponder was not, however, able to extend their lead, and the score at the end of the 3rd was 37-32. Matt Wolodzko got Ponder started in the fourth with a drive to the basket and a layup. A 3 from Daniel McPherson would extend Ponder’s lead to 10 early in the fourth. An assist from Tanner Duessen to Justin Ream would put Ponder up 49-36 with less than 4 minutes left to play. Down by 10 points, Keene began to foul with 2:40 left. But Ponder would go 12 for 16 from the line in the last 3 minutes of the ballgame. Wolodzko intercepted a pass in the last 30 seconds of the ballgame to allow Ponder to hold on to the win. The final score was 61-55.