West Texas native fulfills lifelong dream

by Nathan Wall, staff writer

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have become an international icon. Even if you travel to the most remote parts of the planet, where American football is a distant reality rather than a way of life, you can still find people who know who the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are.

For Kandi Harris, becoming a cheerleader for the silver and blue has been a lifelong dream. Not only is becoming a cheerleader a great opportunity, but as she also said, it’s a way for her to push herself to be a better performer and help give back to the community.

Iconic Hanson Brothers delight fans of cult hockey film

by Caroline Basile, editor-in-chief

When “Slap Shot” was released in 1977, no one could have imagined that the film would become the phenomenon it is 30 years later.

Steve Carlson and his older brother Jeff, are better known as the Hanson brothers from the 1977 move “Slap Shot,” which is based on their experiences while with the Johnstown Jets.

Playoff upsets find Giants in 2008 Super Bowl XLII

by John Stewart, editorial assistant

              At the beginning of the 2007 or even as late as the midway point of the season, Eli Manning

              was not thinking he would be sitting in his position now.

              The quarterback of the New York Giants was on the receiving end of verbal jabs from

former    teammate Tiki Barber, had fans doubting him, and questions swirled around the league                              concerning his ability to lead his team. Yet he did not let any of this get in the way of his path

              to the Super Bowl.

Recent wins help keep Lady Texans in hunt for WJACAC championship

by Schuyler Clark, staff writer

The Lady Texans have continued to be dominant on the basketball court this season.

Their most recent victory, on Jan. 28 against the New Mexico Junior College Thunderbirds, was by an impressive 26-point margin.  Both Brittany Blackmon and Mariame Djouara scored 12 points, just behind 13 points from Ashley Frazier. The final score was 71-45.

Big changes in NASCAR off-season

by Brant Thurmond, sports editor

With the start of the 2008 NASCAR season two weeks away, fans must be wondering about all of the changes that took place in the off-season.

On Jan. 24, it was announced on ESPN that former NASCAR Sprint Series Champion Dale Jarrett will compete five races in the 2008 season. Then, after retiring, he will join the ESPN broadcast crew in the booth as a commentator for the remainder of the season.

Track teams open with record-breaking meet at Texas Tech

by Brant Thurmond, sports editor

IIn the midst of all the brilliant films that have been released lately comes the anticipated thriller, “Cloverfield.”

Some say that it will not make it, but unlike any other monster film, they ended it the right way. The film was directed by Matt Reeves and has a cast of 20somethings such as Michael Stahl-David, Mike Vogel, T.J. Miller, Odette Yustman, Jessica Lucas, and my personal favorite, Lizzy Caplan.

Texans capture first quintuple overtime contest

by Cody Barron, staff writer

In a 10-day span, the South Plains College men’s basketball team suffered their first loss of the season and won a five-overtime thriller.  Most importantly, though, the Texans finished the first half of Western Junior College Athletic Conference play in sole possession of first place.
 

The fifth-ranked Texans (19-1 overall, 7-1 conference play at press time) traveled to Hobbs on Jan. 28 to take on New Mexico Junior College. 

 WWE more soap opera than wrestling
by Schuyler Clark, staff writer

It’s pretty sad when you look at one of the main focuses of American attention, simply done by turning on a television that is connected to a satellite dish or cable.

It is something that is done in roughly 100 million American homes every day. Various programs such as “Dancing With the Stars” and “American Idol” are very successful because they allow average Joes to get their mug on the tube for 30 minutes or so, satisfying their need to convince themselves that they are even just a little successful.

Falcons getting breathe of fresh air with new coach

by Cody Barron, staff writer

Just three seasons ago, the Atlanta Flacons were one of the hot young teams in the NFL. 

They fell just one game short of the Super Bowl and were poised to return the next season on the legs of former number-one pick and Pro Bowl quarterback Michael Vick.  Since then, the Falcons have been on a downhill slide that gained a lot of momentum this season after the Vick scenario, and head coach Bobby Petrino’s resignation part-way through the season.

Spurs losing their edge

by Jerrod Carr, staff writer

The San Antonio Spurs, the current NBA champions, are looking to repeat in June and bring back another NBA championship, not only to San Antonio, but to the state of Texas. 

The bigger question is, can the Spurs bring that championship home?  After a phenomenal start to the regular season in late October, with a 17-3 record, the Spurs have stumbled and suffered their annual slump.  Several of these losses have been to notable teams, such as the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, and the Detroit Pistons, with high-powered offenses that make even the greatest teams look unworthy. 

Loss by cowboys big letdown for fans

by Nathan Wall, staff writer

When the divisional round of the NFL playoffs came upon us, the unthinkable happened.

The 13-3 Dallas Cowboys, the same team that set so many new team records and had 12 Pro-Bowlers, fell, 21-17, to the hated, and recently-dominated, New York Giants.

Despite out-gaining the Giants in total yards, and time of possession, and totaling more sacks, the Cowboys still needed a late, game-saving drive to keep their remarkable season alive. Unlike so many other times this season, the story would have a difficult and heartbreaking ending.