The weather isn't the only thing that has been a little cold the last few weeks. The Northgate boys' basketball team has lost five games in a row.

Flames' head coach Perry Harrop attributes the team's struggles to their turnover woes.

"Turnovers are a major issue," he said. "It is a season-long problem."

Harrop said that Northgate is turning over the ball about once in every three possessions. He noted that teams he has coached in the past had turnover averages below 20 percent.

Harrop said that the Flames also are having trouble converting foul shots.

Someone once said, "The key to success is often the ability to adapt."

That adage proved true when the Northgate Flames hosted Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (OLSH) on Monday. A defensive change at half-time from a man-to-man defense to zone helped the Flames slow down OLSH's offense, and held them scoreless for the last three minutes of the game.

That, coupled with a nine-point, fourth quarter burst from sophomore Jon Girvin and missed OLSH free throws late in the game, sealed the deal on Northgate's 56-55 come-from-behind win.

Despite 23 turnovers, the Northgate boys' varsity basketball ball team opened up its season with a win against Avonworth last Friday, at the 'Lopes tip-off tournament.

The Flames followed that win, however, with a loss to Quaker Valley in the championship game on Dec. 12, a game that featured a head coaching match-up between a former master and apprentice.

Northgate head coach Perry Harrop said that the Flames shot the ball well during the Avonworth game, sinking 70 percent of their shots. He noted that the boys ran the floor well and were taking good shots.

At the Avonworth/ Northgate swim team's first meet of the season, both the girls' and the boys' teams performed very well.

The girls' team beat Riverside 90-64, but the boys' team lost 94-65. Even though the boys' team lost, Jimmy Silay qualified for the WPIAL championships in three individual events. Those events include the 200-yard freestyle, the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard backstroke.

With only one senior lost to graduation, the Northgate Flames girls' varsity basketball team hopes that game-time experience will lead the way to improving on Northgate's one-win season last year.

Head coach Bill Quinn, who is in his second year as the varsity coach, said the Flames have three returning seniors this year, two of whom will start.

Seniors Erica Benny, who will play center, and Karianne Hoover, playing a wing position, will captain the Northgate squad. Returning senior Carlee Mazuer will see playing time off the bench, Quinn noted.

Someone once said that familiarity breeds contempt. Well, in the case of Avonworth athletics, familiarity seems to breed winning seasons and playoff runs, and hopes are high the practice will be as successful for the boys’ basketball team as it was for the football program.

Costly mistakes and a few big plays -- forces that helped Avonworth beat Monaca in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs -- worked against the 'Lopes last week when they faced a much faster Clairton team at Chartiers-Houston.

The speedier Bears' defense shut down Avonworth's offense in the quarterfinals and Avonworth was shut out for the first time this season, 24-0.

The loss knocked the 'Lopes out of the WPIAL playoffs, ending their season with a record of 8-3 overall.

The Northgate School Board has authorized the creation of a third girls' softball coach for the 2009-10 school year.

The board voted Monday to create the position in order to accommodate a junior varsity softball program.

Whoever fills the position will be paid $2,479.

Board member David Natale was absent.

Despite an impressive showing by Avonworth's defense, the Antelopes' season came to an end in the WPIAL quarterfinals Friday night.

A powerful Clairton team, which outscored opponents by hundreds of points this past season, was held to just 24 points. Unfortunately, that was 24 more than Avonworth would be able to score.

The Antelopes were unable to capitalize on five Clairton turnovers, as penalties helped keep the Red out of the end zone. Jeff Wehner had two fumble recoveries, Ryan Shmid had one, and Brian Vales made two interceptions.

The Avonworth School Board hired a number of coaches at its regular meeting on Nov. 9.

Michael Boyd was hired as the ninth grade assistant boys’ basketball coach for the 2009-10 school year.

The board also hired Scott Huffmeyer and Mike Donovan as varsity boys' assistant basketball coaches. The two will share a supplemental contract.

Todd Galluppe was hired as the eighth grade boys' basketball coach.

Several Northgate athletes have received post-season recognition.

Varsity girls' volleyball team members Erica Benny and Amanda Silay were named to the first team all-section, while Karianne Hoover and Amber Sharlow were picked for the second team.

From the varsity football team, Josh Schultheis was named interior lineman for the second team all-section, and received an honorable mention as a tight end. Pat Carr was named second team linebacker, and Mark Wilson received an honorable mention as a wide receiver.