By Michael Letendre
MERIDEN – Bristol Eastern sharpshooting stud Taigan Parent recently said she wants to be known for being more than just a three-point shooter.
Well, after her performance on Thursday at Platt, the senior standout might be trying to trick everyone.
And that’s because she bombed Platt for a career-high 33 points – draining seven three-pointers along the way – as the Lancers stomped the Panthers by a 65-37 final in a CCC South showdown from Orville Platt High School in Meriden.
Platt (5-6), at points of the game, simply lost Parent on the court as she found herself open for shot after shot from downtown.
Her seven three-pointers were one off the school record of eight, established by Hannah Maghini who, ironically, was helping Eastern at the scorer’s table that evening in Meriden and is a current assistant coach for the program.
Parent tied her brother, Elijah, as the duo have both made seven three-pointers in a game for the Lancers.
Both those performances came against the Panthers over the years and the brother/sister duo each scored 33 points over their career-high efforts against Platt.
More tomfoolery came in the fact that Platt didn’t even attempt a three-pointer that evening while Parent was tremendous, hitting seven of her 15 attempts from long range.
It was a tremendous showing and an amazing accomplishment for Parent, but she wasn’t the only player to establish a new scoring mark that evening.
Lauren Ayotte scored a career-high 11 points while adding five rebounds, three assists and four steals over a huge complete game effort.
And then freshman Autumn Udoh had another video game like showing, punching in 11 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocked shots – just missing a triple-double by three blocks.
She also had four assists and six steals as the first-year player dominated when she took the hardwood.
Vanessa Drury posted six points, five rebounds and nine assists over a tremendous passing attack while Leah Roy nabbed six offensive rebounds to get her squad several second chances at the hoop.
Amanda Noel added four rebounds while Tavia Swain had two.
Despite never leading in the game, Platt’s Antwanette Tann had a huge night, posting team highs of 31 points and 19 rebounds.
No other player scored more than one hoop for the Panthers as Eastern’s defense held.
Parent scooped up nine points, Udoh had a lay-up while Ayotte scored the other three first period points as Eastern led 14-3 after eight minutes of action.
In the second stanza, Parent was on complete fire, dropping in four of her five threes she attempted as her fourth 3 made it a 37-9 game with 1:01 remaining in the first half.
An Ayotte jumper made it a thirty-point game at the break as the home team didn’t have any answers against Eastern’s defensive press and transition offense.
Drury dropped in a couple lay-ups in the third tilt and when Ayotte canned a leaner with 1:59 left in the quarter, the Lancers were ahead on the scoreboard 52-17.
Platt trailed 52-23 through three periods but Parent simply wouldn’t relent.
Parent scored another hoop, Udoh added a free throw and off another Ayotte field goal, Eastern snared a 59-27 push with 5:13 showing on the clock.
The Lancers eventually emptied their bench and while the Panthers closed the deficit a bit in the end, Eastern still came with a huge win – scooping up a 65-37 victory to get back to .500 with a date against surging Bristol Central on deck.
Bristol Eastern Girls Basketball
BRISTOL EASTERN 65, PLATT 42
from Orville Platt High School, Meriden
Bristol Eastern (5-5) 14 25 13 13 – 65
Platt (5-6) 3 6 14 14 – 37
BRISTOL EASTERN (65): Taigan Parent 13 0 33, Vanessa Drury 3 0 6, Tavia Swain 0 0 0, Grace Browne 0 0 0, Amanda Noel 1 1 3, Lauren Ayotte 5 1 11, Autumn Udoh 5 1 11, Leah Roy 0 1 1, Hailey Beebe 0 0 0, Gabby Piendak 0 0 0. Totals: 27 4 65.
PLATT (37): Asia Felix 1 0 2, Na’shyia Preston 1 0 2, Brooke Bell 0 0 0, Zaria Calloway 1 0 2, Heidi Martell 0 0 0, Antwanette Tann 13 5 31. Totals: 16 5 37.
Three-point goals: Parent (BE) 7.
Records: Bristol Eastern 5-5 overall; Platt 5-6.
