Northgate cross country coaches Frank Nesko and Brian Veshio and state qualifiers Jonathan Gusew and Lily Hall were honored by the Northgate School Board last Monday evening.:

Despite the miserable weather conditions, both local varsity football teams had excellent games on the road last Saturday afternoon. Northgate shut down Wilkinsburg 31-0, and, pictured above, a mud-covered Avonworth running back Ricky Lawniczak leaps over a teammate in the Antelopes' 26-0 win over Riverview.

Both schools celebrate homecoming tonight, with Avonworth taking on section contender North Catholic, and Northgate hosting Leechburg.

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Northgate third baseman Jordan Brennigan makes a valiant effort to catch an overthrown ball that allowed a South Fayette player to steal. The Flames went on to lose 14-4. They ended their season with a 1-13 section record, 1-14 overall, with their only win coming against Sto-Rox, 15-5.

Avonworth girls’ basketball head coach Bob Schulz has spent most of his life in one or another of Avonworth High School’s sports arenas, as a player and a coach. Coming back from retirement two years ago, he resumed coaching the perennial girls’ basketball powerhouse to a career milestone last Saturday, as the girls rewarded him for his time and effort with his 500th coaching career win at the local high school.

The Avonworth Antelopes' winning season ended just a hair short of the WPIAL championship. The Avonworth offense struggled against a powerhouse Rochester Rams squad at Ambridge Stadium Friday, losing 20-7. The defense kicked in during the second half, holding Rochester to three points. The story was a different one the Friday before, as the Antelopes took on North Catholic in the WPIAL quarterfinals. Pictured here, the Trojan quarterback doesn’t get far, brought down the Antelopes’ star linebacker Eddie Kurtz, backed up by defensive lineman A. J. Mang.

The Northgate Flames exploded into Class A competition last Friday night, obliterating the OLSH Chargers’ WPIAL debut. It took the Flames until the second half to heat up, but a stunning third quarter performance contributed to the 44-6 win for the home team. Pictured above, quarterback Jon Girvin looks for an opening. Girvin scored four of Northgate’s touchdowns. The Flames remain at home tonight, taking on Jefferson Morgan at Alumni Field at 7:30 p.m.

By JIM RUMBLE

A section win was within reach when the Northgate girls’ basketball team hosted South Side Beaver on Thursday, Jan. 19. But after battling back from a 10-point fourth quarter deficit, the Flames fell to defeat in the game’s final seconds 45-43.

Northgate, in search of their first section win, saw their record drop to 3-13 overall and 0-8 in section play.

The Flames scored the game's first points past the midpoint of the first quarter when Kira Neszpaul hit a jumper near the top of the circle for a 2-0 lead.

While winter may curtail pool time for many, it is the busy season for high school swim teams. The combined Northgate-Avonworth boys’ and girls’ teams hosted Knoch Tuesday evening at Northgate’s swimming pool. Knoch won the meet, but local swimmers picked up some first place finishes. Annie Gould -- pictured here -- took firsts in the 200 and 500 freestyle, building on a season that already has qualified her for WPIAL competition next month. Also taking firsts were Claire Danylo, breaststroke and Amanda Stone, 50 freestyle.

By JIM RUMBLE

Monday's rivalry game between the Avonworth and Northgate girls basketball teams was cause enough for some excitement when the two local teams got together for their first section meeting on the Flames’ home court. Any thoughts of an upset though by the Flames over the Lady ‘Lopes, however, vanished early on as Avonworth rolled past Northgate 62-13.

Avonworth coach Bob Schulz praised his team for their play, especially on the defensive end where they forced bad shots and created an abundance of turnovers.

By JIM RUMBLE

It was an exceptional week of basketball for the Avonworth girls’ team, which earned two very important wins in section play.

On Thursday, Jan. 5, the Lady ‘Lopes hosted section co-leader Quaker Valley and came from behind to knock off the Quakers in a thriller, 39-38.

The 'Lopes traveled to Sto Rox on Monday, Jan. 9, and took control in the second half on their way to a 44-34 win over the Vikings.

By JIM RUMBLE

Since just before the holiday break, the Northgate girls’ basketball team registered two wins against three losses, but new coach Neal Martin seems encouraged by his young team's effort and hard work.

The Flames scored their second win of the season on Dec. 21, defeating Sewickley Academy 37-36.

They followed with a 63-22 loss on Dec. 27 against Ambridge, a loss against Sewickley Academy 38-26 on Dec. 28, and a section loss this past Monday at Quaker Valley, 69-25.

Northgate changed direction the following night when they defeated Brentwood at home 39-38.