BRISTOL – The standings in the Central Connecticut Conference Region B girls basketball have become awfully crowded as of late.

That’s thanks in part to the squad over at Bristol Eastern starting to heat up a bit.

And in order to stay in the race for first place, the Lancers had to defeat longtime rival, Region B division leader Southington on Monday, March 8 in Bristol.

And with Eastern’s 55-37 victory over the Knights that evening, the Lancers are on top of the division – along with three other foes.

Southington, Plainville, Farmington and Eastern are all now 7-2 as each squad has three games left to play in the regular season.

Since losing to Southington back on February 20, the Lancers have won four out of its last five games and are looking to win out.

It’s going to be interesting as the Lancers finish the campaign with road dates at Lewis Mills and New Britain – teams Eastern has already toppled in Bristol this year.

And with the Central Connecticut Conference Tournament looming, every win counts in large amounts.

Every squad in the CCC will be invited to the tourney but the top eight squads get the right to play for the CCC championship.

That’s a goal the Lancers are shooting for.

In terms of Region B, which squad has the advantage over the final three games in the race for first place?

Give the nod to Bristol Eastern in that category.

Here are the schedules for all four teams as Eastern races to the finish:

Bristol Eastern – vs. Bristol Central (3/11), at Lewis Mills (3/15), at New Britain (3/18).

Of Note – The Lancers are 3-0 against the back end of their schedule, winning those three contests by an average of 21.3 points-per-game. None of those final three games are against the division leaders.

Southington – vs. Plainville (3/11), vs. Avon (3/15), at Farmington (3/18).

Of Note – The Knights are 2-1 against the remainder of the schedule with that Farmington game looming to end the regular season on the road. Southington lost to Plainville at the buzzer (48-47) back on February 12.

Plainville – at Southington (3/11), vs. Farmington (3/15), at Avon (3/18).

Of Note – This might be the toughest schedule out of the lot as the Blue Devils have to play both Southington and Farmington. Plainville is 2-1 this year against that competition.

Farmington – at Avon (3/11), at Plainville (3/15), vs. Southington (3/18).

Of Note – The Farmington girls basketball team is 2-1 against that schedule, falling to Southington on February 26 by a 45-40 final. Do you think Farmington will be ready for that encounter against the Knights?