The Bristol Central boys basketball team has very high expectations this season. The Rams finished last season as the top team in the state writers’ poll, and they’ll likely begin this season in the same spot.
Central took on Naugatuck, the favorite in the Naugatuck Valley League, in a game scrimmage on Monday inside the Charles C. Marsh Gymnasium at Bristol Central High School. By halftime, seven-foot-two senior center Donovan Clingan had posted a triple-double. Yikes. Clingan was fun to watch in person, even in a scrimmage. There were a few possessions where the UConn commit blocked at least two shots.
Central is more than just Clingan. He’s one of five seniors in the starting lineup. There’s seniors Victor Rosa, Damion Glasper and Carson Rivoira, plus Steve Alseph Jr., who comes to the Rams after the closing of Sacred Heart. Five seniors make for a solid starting lineup, and they all bring something to the table.
Everyone knows about Clingan and his ability to control a game around the basket. He’s gotten pretty good at shooting 3-pointers as well, so that’s scary. Rivoira is a lockdown defender, and Alseph joins him in that category. Combine those two with the shot-blocking and shot-altering ability of Clingan, and you have a lot of trouble for opposing offenses. Rosa and Glasper both bring terrific athleticism, and Glasper can get hot from the outside.
Rivoira was kept out of Monday’s scrimmage as a precaution because of an injury. Alseph tweaked something during the scrimmage and was also held out as a precaution. Central played a 2-3 zone and was still able to control the scrimmage against Naugatuck, who is no slouch. The Greyhounds have height up front with seniors Avery Hinnant and Aiden Robertson, and they have the explosive Ese Onakpoma leading the way in the backcourt. The Rams still controlled much of the varsity portion of the scrimmage.
If Central can stay healthy – both in terms of injuries and COVID – it will be a major contender for the Division II state championship (there are five divisions). One major challenge may come from Northwest Catholic, a team that Central coach Tim Barrette described as loaded. The Rams are traveling to several different places this season, beginning with a noon game Saturday against Southington in the Doc Hurley Classic at Trinity College. Then there’s a contest against East Catholic in The (New London) Day Holiday Classic next Monday at 8 p.m. at Mohegan Sun Arena.
On Feb. 2, Central will play Wilbur Cross at 8 p.m. in the second game of a doubleheader at the Floyd Little Athletic Center (first game is Windsor against Hillhouse at 6). on Feb. 10, Central is scheduled to play Windsor at the XL Center at 7:30 p.m.
PHOTO CAPTION: Bristol Central’s Damion Glasper controls the ball while being guarded by Naugatuck’s Jayshawn Lindsay during Monday’s scrimmage in Bristol. (Copyright, Sports on CT-69)
GALLERY: Here are my photos from Monday’s scrimmage.
