Northgate's ninth grade boys' basketball team will be absorbed into the varsity/junior varsity program, at least for the coming season.

School board athletic committee chairman David Natale reported at the board's Oct. 12 committee of the whole meeting that although 11 boys had signed up for the ninth grade team, there was concern that the school would not be able to field both varsity and junior varsity teams. Natale said that the committee was attempting to avoid what happened last year, when several varsity players had to play both JV and varsity games.

Natale said that the board would reconsider the decision next year, depending on registration numbers.