For the second straight season, the Bristol Central girls’ basketball team began the Class L state tournament with a first round home game.
And for the second straight season, the Rams won a first round home game inside the friendly confines of the Charles C. Marsh Gymnasium at Bristol Central High School. Also for the second straight season, Central defeated a CCC foe.
Last time, it was Platt, 45-41. Central had an easier time of it Monday afternoon in a 57-35 win over No. 25 Wethersfield. The game was moved up because of the threat of a winter storm.
Junior Brooke Watson led the way with 19 points, including 3-pointers at the end of the first and third quarters. Watson buried a 3 from the left corner off an assist from sophomore Leilani Jackson-Mills. At the end of the third quarter, Watson fired up a 3-pointer from the left wing and made it at the buzzer.
Freshman Nicole Riemer scored 11 points and was a solid presence inside. Fellow freshman Gigi Pena also added 11 points. Junior Arianna Rivera recorded seven points.
Central hosts No. 9 North Haven of the Southern Connecticut Conference in the second round Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in a second round matchup. The Nighthawks defeated No. 24 Maloney-Meriden, another CCC team, 57-28. Central and North Haven played on Jan. 21. The Rams lost a lopsided game that time out, but were missing a couple key players.
GALLERY: Here are my photos from Monday’s game.
Caption: Bristol Central’s Kaley Laird (10) battles for position with Wethersfield’s Abigail Alger (22) on a free throw attempt by Central’s Brooke Watson (5) during Monday’s Class L girls’ basketball first round game in Bristol. (Copyright, Sports on CT-69)
