The main attraction at the The Day Holiday Classic on Monday night was the matchup between No. 1 Bristol Central boys basketball and No. 3 East Catholic of Manchester.
The biggest attraction, literally and figuratively, at Mohegan Sun Arena was Ram senior star center Donovan Clingan. It was more than Clingan, however, that helped Central past East Catholic by the score of 74-59. Clingan had 29 points, but fellow senior Damion Glasper had a big night of his own with 19 points, including five 3-pointers.
Clingan had 16 points at the half to lead the Rams, who held a 36-23 lead over the Eagles. He had help from Glasper, who made three 3-pointers on the way to 13 points over the first 16 minutes. Glasper added two more 3-pointers in the third quarter, including one that beat the buzzer for a 55-40 Central lead. Stephen Alseph helped space out the East Catholic defense with a couple 3-pointers of his own.
There was a career milestone for Clingan on Monday, and a special one at that. Clingan grabbed his own miss in the fourth quarter and was fouled. The rebound was the 1,003rd of his terrific career, and that board made him Central’s all-time leading rebounder, surpassing a record previously held by his late mother, Stacey (Porrini) Clingan. When Clingan went to the foul line, his teammates on the bench stood up and clapped for him.
John Stavens of Bristol Eastern athletics wrote this on Twitter: “Congratulations! What a great success and honor to your Mom. #bristol“
Clingan finished with 29 points, 18 rebounds and 7 blocks, according to Joe Morelli of GameTimeCT.com. Central improved to 2-0 with the win. The Rams host Middletown on Thursday in their home opener at 5:30 p.m.
Photo caption: Bristol Central boys basketball got strong efforts from Donovan Clingan and Damion Glasper in their 74-59 win over East Catholic on Monday night in the The Day Holiday Classic at Mohegan Sun Arena. (Copyright, Sports on CT-69, file)
