On Feb. 25, the Northampton High School fencing club traveled to Cambridge to compete in the Massachusetts state championships. The Blue Devils were one of 13 schools to participate on Sunday, and the tournament format was a single elimination team event.

Northampton battled Concord-Carlisle in the first round of the bracket, and what a battle it was.

The Blue Devils’ girls epee squad of Willa Barman, River Burnell-Wojtech and Klara Sokop edged out Concord-Carlisle behind a terrific performance from Barman against Tatiana Zafft, who is a national level competitor for Concord-Carlisle. But Northampton’s saber squad couldn’t earn enough overall wins despite a huge day from Nyx Hagan. With neither school fielding a foil squad, Concord-Carlisle eliminated the Blue Devils by a razor-thin margin.

On the boys side, Northampton battled Bishop Feehan in the first round. Although the Blue Devils started slow, they clawed back within striking distance. Their foil squad picked up victories from Elliot Dinsmore, Eden Friedberg and Pellervo Hinkley to beat Bishop Feehan. The epee and saber squads each accumulated wins, but ultimately fell to Feehan’s two teams which are filled with veterans. Noah Bradbury and Travis Emmerson had stand out days for Northampton.

While both Blue Devils teams were defeated in the first round, they put up a respectable fight. The Northampton boys team isn’t losing any seniors, so next year they have a chance to be even better with another year of experience and growth.

Northampton fencing is a club sport and is supported by its members, their families, sponsors and Pioneer Valley Fencing Academy – where they hold practice. If you would like to help sponsor the team please contact Northampton High School.Youth basketball

Northampton girls suburban team advances in playoffs

The Northampton 7/8 girls suburban basketball team won its first-round playoff game Sunday with scorching shooting on the offensive end. The Blue Devils scored 52 points in their 52-46 win over East Longmeadow in the first round of the suburban playoffs.

Keira Cole led Northampton in scoring as one of four players to reach double figures in the win. Cole put up 15 points, nine steals, five rebounds and two assists, Abby Wu scored 11 points to go with a block and a board, Quinn Spears tallied 10 points, three blocks, three steals and three rebounds while Zora Nteta added 10 points. Kate Wozniak grabbed six rebounds, two steals and one block to go along with her six points, rounding out the Blue Devils’ scoring.

Northampton next plays on Wednesday against Longmeadow at 8 p.m.