By Michael Letendre
The first day of winter scholastic sports in Bristol is a busy one as all five public school programs are in action.
There might be a few opening night jitters on display but our student athletes, already delayed a day due to Tuesday’s snow storm, are ready to finally hits the courts (and pool).
Here’s a special look at all the games that takes place on Wednesday, February 10:
Boys Basketball
Avon at Bristol Central
Time – 5:30 p.m.
Location – Charles C. Marsh Gymnasium at Bristol Central
The defending CCC South Patriot Division champions, Bristol Central, has one heck of an opening season challenge against Avon (12-8 regular season in 2019).
The Falcons bring high-scoring forward Jack Hall (23 points and 10 rebounds-per-game last year) to the Charles. C. Marsh Gymnasium and he’s a problem.
Hall can do a little of everything and doesn’t need much room to launch up shots.
He’s surrounded by a very solid team who will shoot – and make – 3s which could give the Rams trouble.
But for every 3 Avon makes, Central has the ability to match that offense from long range.
Then there’s that 7-foot-1 center in the paint that Avon doesn’t have an answer for.
Look for a big night out of Donovan Clingan to open up the campaign.
This is a very good test for Central but don’t forget, the Rams are one of the top-ten ranked teams in the state along with CCC favorites East Catholic, Windsor, and Northwest Catholic.
A victory for the Rams will give Tim Barrette (140-140 overall) his first plus-.500 record in regular season play as the head coach of the program.
Farmington at Bristol Eastern
Time – 6:45 p.m.
Location – Thomas M. Monahan Gymnasium at Bristol Eastern
Farmington is two years removed from a state title but are still very dangerous and extremely well coached.
The program ended the regular season at 15-5 and ended up defeating Eastern by a 74-60 final from Farmington high school back on December 20, 2019.
But that opening night game saw Eastern cut a double-figure deficit to six points at the half before the contest got away from the Lancers late.
The Indians can employ a front line of at least 6-foot-2 around the horn while guard Jacob Smith (16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists-per-game last season) is a handful as well.
But Farmington has to deal with Eastern senior Elijah Parent (16.8 ppg) and a squad ready to finally get the regular season underway.
This is going to be a stern task for the Lancers but a victory isn’t out of the realm of possibility for the locals.
Girls Basketball
Bristol Central at Avon
Time – 6 p.m.
Location – Avon high school, large gymnasium
Avon won just seven games last season and one of those was against Central, 54-41, back on December 20, 2019.
However, the Rams are looking for a little payback and Central coach Steve Gaudet is ready for the challenge.
The locals have a little firepower to battle the Falcons with in the form of Sophia Torreso and a squad that includes Gwen Torreso, Janessa Bartell, and Ella Watson – looking to start the campaign on a winning note.
It’s two games in three nights for Central and after the contest against Avon, it’s a showdown against Bristol Eastern at BC for a little city series excitement.
Bristol Eastern at Farmington
Time – 6:45 p.m.
Location – Farmington high school
Much like Avon, Farmington went 7-13 in 2019-20 while the Lancers were an 18-win program but graduated a couple starting components.
The Farmington team will have its collective hands full against Eastern’s three-headed monster of Ciara Collins, Sage Scarritt, and Cali Doyon.
Each is capable of giving Farmington fits while it should be interesting to see who steps forward for the Lancers.
Eastern plays three out of its next four games on the road before three straight home contests help to balance out the schedule.
Boys Swimming/Diving
Farmington at Bristol Central/Eastern/St. Paul Catholic
Time – 3:45 p.m.
Location – Dennis Malone Aquatic Center
The defending CCC South champs start the 2021 campaign from home against Farmington from the Dennis Malone Aquatic Center.
The Central/Eastern/St. Paul Catholic contingent went 8-2 overall last season and was 5-1 in CCC South meets.
It’s the first of four home meets for the Bristol outfit while the program competes on every Wednesday into March except for February 24.
