By Michael Letendre
BRISTOL – Round one between the Bristol Central (2-7) and Bristol Eastern (3-4) girls basketball squads commences today at 1:30 p.m. from the Charles C. Marsh Gymnasium.
It’s been 17 years since the Rams hung a loss on the Lancers – February 16, 2004 to be exact – but Central is a confident bunch coming into the city series tilt.
In a rare occurrence, both squads carry records below .500 but with a victory over the Rams, the Lancers would draw back to even.
Eastern brings experience into the contest as All-Stater Ciara Collins is looking for another huge game while on the flip side, Central senior Lillian Sirois has the talent and skill to make the Kingstreeters sweat.
It’s a strange Saturday matinee between the two programs and here’s what to expect when Central and Eastern clash:
Bristol Eastern at Bristol Central
Where: Charles C. Marsh Gymnasium – from the campus of BCHS
When: Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
The storyline to consider: What tricks does Bristol Central head coach Steve Gaudet have up his sleeve as he looks for his first ever victory over the Lancers?
Bristol Eastern – Probable Line-up:
*Ciara Collins (senior), Guard/forward/center/everything
*Janessa Gonzalez (senior), Forward
*Taigan Parent (junior), Guard
*Emily Piendak (junior), Forward
*Vanessa Drury (sophomore), Guard
*Lauren Ayotte (sophomore), forward
*Leah Roy (freshman), Guard
*Gracie LaMar (sophomore), Forward
*Amanda Noel (freshman), Forward
*Emma Stavens (sophomore), Guard (injured)
Bristol Central – Probable Line-up:
*Lillian Sirois (senior), Guard/forward
*Brooke Watson (sophomore), Forward
*Ella Watson (senior), Guard
*Kaley Laird (junior), Guard
*Callie Lodovico (freshman), Guard
*Madison Pikiell (sophomore), Guard
Will Eastern continue the streak? Ciara Collins is doing everything for the Lancers and is looking for another big game Saturday.
And her numbers stack up with the best players in the state.
Currently, Collins averages 23.8 points, 15.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 3.0 steals-per-game.
She’s rejected 18 shots, has a double-double in every game but one and tallied a career-high 32 points in a tough loss at Windsor earlier in the season.
Collins has 1,200 career points and should be the program’s leading three-point shooter by the time the season is over.
Frankly, the All-Stater isn’t getting respect from officials this year but if allowed, Collins would play the entire thirty-two minutes like they were her last.
Collins can hit from outside-in, isn’t afraid of contact and once she sets her feet, baskets follow.
Janessa Gonzalez is having a strong senior campaign, posting 6.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks-per-game.
She plays quality defense, finishes at the hoop, and averages nearly three offensive rebounds-per-game.
Taigan Parent (7.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.7 apg) has started every game this season, playing both guard positions for the Eastern team.
She’s notched eight points on four different occasions and is a reliable three-point threat.
Emily Piendak has started a half-dozen games, kicking in 3.0 rebounds-per-game while Vanessa Drury’s confidence seems to be growing by the contest.
She kicked in a season-high 11 points versus Middletown and averages nearly three points-per-game.
Lauren Ayotte has been the first player off the Eastern bench as of late, supplying rebounding and defense.
She’s another player adding contributions in a reserve roll – posting 4.2 rebounds-per-game.
Leah Roy, Gracie LaMar, and Amanda Noel all help fill out the Eastern rotation this year.
Emma Stavens (7.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists) should return to the squad to start February – ready to help the squad make its state tournament run.
The Lancers are confident and looking for a big crosstown win over the Rams.
Is this the day the Rams finally win? Speaking of confidence, the Central program has plenty of that.
That 2-7 ledger is deceiving as could be because before the Rams’ current two-game win streak, Central could have been winners of five straight.
On December 30, the Rams had undefeated Gilbert on the ropes but fell by a 62-56 final in the end.
And the same rung true in the Platt (47-35) and Maloney (48-44) showdowns.
Frankly, Central is a lot closer than people think.
Lillian Sirois has been the program’s biggest scorers in years – pumping in right around 16-17 points-per-game and is a clever finisher at the hoop.
She’s capable of a 24-point night and a good leader for the program.
Brook Watson can put the ball in the hoop, posting 6.0 points-per-game, putting together a 16-point effort in a victory over Plainville.
Callie Lodovico has been improving throughout the season and isn’t far off from being a 10.0 ppg scorer.
Ella Watson is also an invaluable contributor while Gaudet is going to Kaley Laird a whole lot more in the middle of the season.
The programs victories this season came against Lewis Mills (50-22) on January 14 and Plainville (44-34) and hopes to make Bristol Eastern No. 3.
Central has some tools and cannot be underestimated.
