What more can Bristol Central senior star Donovan Clingan do, other than lead his team to CCC tournament and Division II state championships?
The 7-foot-2 phenom nearly outscored Platt by himself on Monday night in the Charles C. Marsh Gymnasium. The Rams beat the Panthers, 79-48, and Clingan had a school-record 47 points, plus 26 rebounds, in another monster double-double. Central improved to 13-0 and extended its state-best winning streak to 28 games. The Rams are the top-ranked team in the state.
Clingan topped the 45 points scored by Ryan Howse in 1994. Howse tallied his 45 points against – you guessed it – Platt. He also had 25 rebounds in the 60-49 victory. Howse, who stood 6-foot-8, earned Class L All-State and New Haven Register All-State honors in 1993-94, his senior season. Howse played four years at the University of Hartford.
Platt may not be one of the state’s top-ranked teams, but it did enter Monday’s game at 9-3. The Panthers tried to use their speed, according to a story from Matt Hornick of The Bristol Press, but Clingan’s size was overwhelming, as it has been all season.
Showdown looming: Bristol Central is scheduled to travel to New Haven to play Wilbur Cross at 8 p.m. at the Floyd Little Athletic Center. The Rams will have to contend with the speed of the Governors, so the guard play of Victor Rosa, Damion Glasper and Steve Alseph Jr. will be key.
Photo caption: Bristol Central senior Donovan Clingan broke the school’s single-game scoring record on Monday night, tallying 47 points. (Copyright, Sports on CT-69, file)
