It finally happened for the Bristol Central girls basketball team.
After nearly two decades of frustration, the Rams beat their Bell City foes from Bristol Eastern. In a game played on Jan. 22 at the Charles C. Marsh Gymnasium, the final score was: Bristol Central 55, Bristol Eastern 42. Lillian Sirois erupted for 25 points for the Rams in the victory.
The last time Central found itself as the first team on the score line against Eastern: Feb. 16, 2004. The score: 60-57. The location: Bristol Central High School.
After that 2004 game, the Lancers beat the Rams 34 straight times. Some games were close, others were blowouts. All of them ended in Eastern’s favor, until Jan. 22. For Central, Sirois’ 25 points were a career high. Ariana Rivera had 17 points with Brooke Watson added nine points. Ciara Collins led three Eastern players in double figures with 12 points. Taigan Parent added 11 points while Vanessa Drury chipped in 10.
Central (5-7) and Eastern (4-6) meet again on Valentine’s Day at Bristol Eastern at 6:45 p.m.
Note: The Rams have won five straight games since an 0-7 start to the season. The wins have come against Lewis Mills (50-22), Plainville (44-34), Eastern (55-42), Tolland (50-41) and Innovation (56-12).
Photo credit: Pete Wininger, principal of Bristol Central High School (Twitter account)
