The Northampton Parks & Recreation Department (NPRD) is collaborating with Northampton Police Department, The Massachusetts State Police, The Northwestern District Attorneys’ Office and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Hampshire County to bring Unity Basketball to Northampton.

There will be five Unity Basketball Community Nights this spring and all events will be held at JFK Middle School, 100 Bridge Road, Florence, MA 01062.

Unity Basketball will be held five Monday evenings on March 16, March 30, April 13, April 27 and May 11 from 5:30-8:30 p.m., and is designed for youth in grades 5th -8th grade, boys and girls. Each evening will feature skills sessions, guest speakers, music, pick up games and pizza

These events are completely FREE with the goal of encouraging communication between young people and community responders in a fun, competitive setting. Pre-registration is highly encouraged to attend and can be completed online at www.northamptonma.gov/recreation.

Southampton native to play DI soccer at Quinnipiac

Ayden St. Martin, a former Hampshire Regional boys soccer standout, signed to play Division I soccer at Quinnipiac, earlier this month.

St. Martin most recently played for Suffield Academy this past fall.

St. Martin served as Suffield’s captain and received the Paul G. Sanderson Jr. Soccer Award.

Ryan Ames is a sports reporter at the Gazette. A UMass Amherst graduate, he covers high school and college sports and is on the UMass hockey beat. Reach him at rames@gazettenet.com and follow him on Twitter/X...