By Michael Letendre
BRISTOL – Statistically, there’s not too much more Bristol Central superstar Donovan Clingan can accomplish on an individual level on the hardwood.
The four-star rated center was the 2021 Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year after averaging 27.3 points, 17.2 rebounds, 5.8 blocks and 3.1 assists-per-game as a junior.
And, without the benefit of a major postseason run and a shortened campaign in 2021, his numbers – in terms of totals – simply jump off the page.
Overall, Clingan has tallied 1,421 points and snared 1,002 rebounds over his three years at Central.
That’s 1,421 points and 1,002 rebounds tallied in only 58 career games.
Remember, Central was one-and-done during Clingan’s freshman season as the squad dropped a hard-fought 65-61 decision in overtime at New Milford in CIAC Division III first round play against a program that nearly attempted 45 three-pointers in order to stay away from that 7-foot dynamo in the paint.
The Green Wave, in fact, is the only program in the state to be able to claim a postseason victory over the Rams to date.
As a sophomore, after a 17-5 ledger, the pandemic cancelled the playoffs in 2020 and then last year, the Rams went as far as they could (15-0) during another COVID-infested campaign (can you say it nicer than that?).
In terms of Bristol’s all-time top scorer, St. Paul’s Carey Edwards dropped in 1,835 points before leaving for Manhattan and the MAAC.
Clingan is just 414 points away from tying that amazing record.
“There’s a lot on the line,” admitted head coach Tim Barrette. “Donovan has an opportunity early in the year – god willing with his health – to break his mom’s rebound record for the school which could happen as early as game two.”
Stacey Porrini graduated from Bristol Central in 1993 after scoring 846 points and snaring 1032 rebounds for the girls team.
Perhaps a 30 rebound game against Southington today in Hartford is in order to tie his late mother’s amazing ledger?
In terms of points at the school, Martin Huckaby (1984-1988) scored 1,825 points and that’s another record Clingan is gunning for.
“He has an opportunity at the scoring record for the school as well,” said Barrette.
The individual records are certainly an amazing accomplishment for the young man but he knows that the ultimate prize is about team accomplishments.
And the prize he craves is a CIAC Division II state championship.
“When we won that CCC Tournament title, [Donovan] said to me ‘one more,’” to go said Barrette in terms of a state title. “It’s been our goal from the beginning. We know we have the opportunity but we also know a lot of things have to go our way to be there in the finals come March.”
