By MEL PERKINS

The Northgate Flames (5-5, 8-10) have hit a two game skid, dropping an important section game to the second place Quakers (8-2, 16-2) from Quaker Valley last Friday night, then losing a rematch with the first place Beaver Falls Tigers (8-1, 16-2) on Tuesday.

By MEL PERKINS

The first place Beaver Falls Tigers (13-2, 6-1) came into Northgate's house on Wednesday night, and when the dust had cleared, the Flames had handed the Tigers their first section loss of the season.

The Flames (8-8, 5-3) were badly in need of a section victory after losing to the Quips from Aliquippa the night before, and with Quaker Valley on the scheduled for tonight. It was make or break time for the Flames, and they were up to the challenge.

By MEL PERKINS

The Northgate Flames cruised to an easy 61-40 win over the New Brighton Lions Tuesday night, snapping a four-game losing streak, while playing their sixth straight game away from home. The win raised Northgate's section record to 3-1, with an overall record of 5 - 6.

The Flames' last win was on Dec. 22 when they traveled to Springdale and beat the Dynamos 54-39. Northgate then dropped games to Seneca Valley (AAAA), Sto-Rox (2-0, 8-1), and Brentwood (3-1, 8- ). On Jan. 3, the Flames traveled to Quaker Valley and came away with their first section loss of the season.

The Northgate School Board took a few minutes Monday evening to acknowledge the accomplishments of several student athletes, as well as their coaches.

Two members of the varsity football team have been named to the WPIAL Class A All Conference first team. Jon Girvin took the honors as quarterback, and Jake Abernethy as wide receiver.

By MEL PERKINS

On Saturday afternoon, in the muck and the mire of what was Wilkinsburg's Graham Field, the Northgate Flames (3-2, 2-2) bounced back from a two- game losing streak by blanking the Wilkinsburg Tigers (0-5, 0-5) by the score of 31-0.

The foul weather had little effect on the Flames' air attack, as quarterback Jon Girvin threw four touchdown passes, three of those going to wide receiver Jake Abernethy. Abernethy led the team in receiving, with four catches for a total of 85 yards.

By JIM RUMBLE

It's been a tough season for the young Northgate softball team, and the circumstances were no different when the Flames hosted North Catholic last Thurs-day.

The Flames were limited to two hits and a run as they were overpowered by the Trojans in six innings 15-1.

Northgate, whose last win came in a non-section game against Aliquippa on March 29, saw their overall record drop to 1-5 and 0-3 in section play.

Flames’ freshman pitcher Emma DiDomenico absorbed the loss, giving up seven hits, eight walks and recording two strike-outs.

By MEL PERKINS

The Northgate Flames honored their seniors last Friday night by downing the ‘Lopes from Avonworth for the second time this season. The Flames and the Antelopes battled hard in what turned out to be another hard fought rivalry game.

The Flames jumped on top early, as senior guard Matt Garrison knocked down a 3-point shot to get the Flames off and running. Northgate took advantage of their inside game by working the ball in to Josh Douglass and Jon Girvin, and outscored Avonworth 17-9 in the first quarter

By MEL PERKINS

Northgate traveled into hostile territory Tuesday night, and came away with a much needed section win against the ‘Lopes from Avonworth.

The Flames opened up the game in their man-to-man defense, and with Josh Douglass shadowing Avonworth's Mitch Locher. Locher leads the ‘Lope's high powered offense, averaging 26 points a game.

The first quarter was highlighted by the defensive play of both teams. The referees, at times, turned a blind eye to the physical play, as bodies were hitting the floor, and creating the atmosphere that big time rivalries feed upon.

By MEL PERKINS

The Northgate Flames continued their downward slide Tuesday night when they lost a valuable section game to the Quakers from Quaker Valley. The Flames entered Tuesday's game with a 3 - 5 record overall, 1 - 1 in section play, and trying to bounce back from their two losses in the Mars Tournament on Dec.27 and 28.

Northgate opened up the tournament the first night with a 71 - 61 loss to Mars, and the second night they lost a close, hard-fought battle, with their rivals from across the river, as they fell 67 - 62 to the Vikings from Sto-Rox in the consolation game.

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.

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.

The victory bell at Alumni Field got a work-out Friday night as the Northgate Flames pulled out a win over Quaker Valley, 12-8.

Pat Carr was the star of the Senior Night game, scoring both of the Flames' touchdowns and then intercepting a pass in the end zone to stop the Quakers' last minute attempt to win the game.