Content about Dave Natale

03.19.11

Good thinking

I have to applaud the Avonworth School Board and administration for the creative thinking that has gone into dealing with the district's budget deficit.

No one wants to lay off employees or cut programs, but Avonworth officials have demonstrated that they are willing and able to do what has to be done to live within their means.

At this point, any thinking is good thinking, and we're seeing no thinking coming out of Northgate officials.

03.04.12

Flames lose to GCC

By MEL PERKINS

The Northgate Flames (7-5, 14-11) took on the Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions (11-1, 19-5) on Saturday in a WPIAL AA quarter-final match-up. A Flames win would have sent them into the final four, but the Centurion's defense proved to be too much of an obstacle for Northgate to overcome, and they fell to GCC 62-46.

02.25.12

Flames win in double O.T.

The Northgate boys’ basketball team will head into the WPIAL playoff quarter-finals tomorrow after pulling off an upset victory in double overtime Wednesday night.

The Flames traveled to Keystone Oaks to face fourth-seeded Summit Academy. Battling until the end, the Northgate team won 90-86. Dave Natale had seven three-pointers, for 21 points, in the game.

02.11.12

The Flames are hot again!

By MEL PERKINS

Northgate (6-5, 10-10) snapped a two-game losing streak last Friday night, hammering the Lions from New Brighton 68 - 42.

New Brighton jumped out in front by hitting a three-point shot, but the Flames' defense was about to tighten things up. The Lions would not find the bucket again, for nearly 5 minutes.

11.27.11

Simply the best

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.

02.25.11

Flames lose close playoff round to Steel Valley

By MEL PERKINS

The Northgate basketball team's playoff run came to a screeching halt last Saturday, when they ran into a well prepared and determined Steel Valley team (6-6, 8-14).

Steel Valley entered Saturday's game coming off a three game losing streak, while the Flames had won two of their last four. The Flames had lost against South Park and Central Valley, two much larger schools. Hence, the prognosticators had the Flames advancing to the first round.

02.18.11

Flames win second game against Antelopes

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

01.22.11

Flames win physical game against ‘Lopes

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.

01.07.11

Flames lose section game to QV

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.

09.18.09

News Briefs

Education funding urged A resolution approved by the Northgate School Board will be sent to the state legislature, urging representatives to maintain state funding for schools.

"They're talking about giving us less money than they did last year," said superintendent Dr. Reggie Bonfield at the school board's committee of the whole meeting on Monday. "Hopefully that won't happen."

Team elimination? Northgate could eliminate its ninth grade boys' basketball team in an effort to bolster the school's varsity program.