By MIKE WILKINSON  

NORTHAMPTON -- Longtime Northampton girls basketball coach Tom Parent announced his retirement Sunday, 5 1/2 months after leading the Blue Devils to their first-ever Division 1 state title.

"I told (athletic director) Jim Miller last fall that this would be my last year," said Parent. "It was a great way to go out. i didn't want to announce it because i didn't want to deflect the attention away from the players, who deserved it." 

Parent coached the Northampton girls team for 26 years. 

READ THE COMPLETE STORY IN MONDAY'S DAILY HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE.