Focused and balanced are how sixth year head coach Jim Croy describes his 2023-24 Northgate girls basketball team. According to Croy, “the girls and coaching staff try our best to find a balance between really getting after it and also enjoying the moment and having fun.” At 14-4 overall (4-0 in league play) thus far and coming off a recent tournament win at the West Coast Jamboree, their hard work has given them a lot to enjoy and have fun with. The Lady Broncos feature 6 seniors this year and are led by senior Amelia Schrag who is currently averaging 14 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists per game. Many of the girls have played together 
for more than 8 years, having played for the local St. John Vianney CYO teams and through other local youth clubs and teams. Croy has done an outstanding job of weaving Northgate basketball into the fiber of the community by incorporating players from those local youth teams with the high school team. To that end, recently the St. John Vianney sixth grade girls scrimmaged at halftime of the Battle of the Creek game versus Las Lomas. Croy also has youth players serve as “ball girls” at the Northgate games. The girls assist with pre and post-game chores, rebound balls during warmups and sit on the bench with the team where Coach Croy is often seen pointing out various things to them about the game. The experience is invaluable for both the youth and high school players. To catch the Lady Broncos – and maybe even a local youth team scrimmaging at halftime! – in action, visit the Northgate Athletics website at www. northgatebroncos.org for their schedule.
By Shannon Polkinghorn, Resident since 2004