By Michael Letendre 

BRISTOL – The Bristol Central boys basketball team fell behind early in its CCC South encounter against Lewis Mills on Tuesday night, eventually absorbing a tough 75-60 loss from the Charles C. Marsh Gymnasium in Bristol.

The Spartans (12-4 overall) earned a sweep over the Bristol schools after Mills squeaked by Bristol Eastern (49-48) the previous Saturday.

Mills dropped 21 points over first quarter play against Central (5-11 overall) and upped its advantage a bit over the following stanza.

Connor McAtee hit three 3-pointers on his way to 21 points while Eli Pelletier roped up 17 to lead the visiting aggression.

The Rams, having lost six straight by the completion of the showdown, saw sophomore shooting guard Carmelo Thompson pop off for a new career high in points.

He canned 23 points, dropping in four three-pointers along the way, to lead all scorers that evening.

Defense-minded Mike Allan dropped in 10 points, two off his career best, while Joey Pikiell hit three 3s on his way to 11 points.

Mikey McMahon and Jayden Sokolowski each added five points while Jayeson VanBeveren notched four for the Rams.

Aiden Lopez also added a hoop but Central was limited to just 20 points by the halftime break.

The Spartans roped up a 21-12 lead through eight minutes while outscoring the Bristol contingent 22-8 over the second stanza to scoop up a 43-20 edge at intermission.

Both teams netted 15 points over third period play while Central won the final period 25-17 but ended up on the wrong side of a 75-60 final.

Central has four games left to play in the regular season this year.

This Thursday, the Rams travel to Berlin for a CCC South bout and on February 14, Central battles against an extremely aggressive squad from Conard in West Hartford.

The Rams are home for Middletown on February 17 for senior night and the following Monday, it’s Central/Eastern Part II in what should be a great back-and-forth affair from the Thomas M. Monahan Gymnasium at BEHS (6 p.m. start time).

Bristol Central Boys Basketball – CCC South Engagement

LEWIS MILLS 75, BRISTOL CENTRAL 60
from the Charles C. Marsh Gymnasium

Lewis Mills (12-4)                  21 22 15 17 – 75

Bristol Central (5-11)            12 8 15 25 – 60

LEWIS MILLS (75): Gavin Daly 1 2 5, Jon Schibi 1 1 3, Eli Pelletier 6 2 17, Charlie Joiner 2 1 5, Jack Stanislaw 1 0 2, Tristan Mooney 1 0 3, Connor McAtee 8 2 21, Jack Nestor 1 0 2, Connor Evans 5 2 12, Max Dinunzio 1 0 2, Jacob Hall 1 1 3, Chad Edmond 0 0 0, Brett Harding 0 0 0. Totals: 28 11 75.
BRISTOL CENTRAL (60): Mikey McMahon 2 1 5, Mike Allan 4 2 10, Jaysun Dominguez 0 0 0, Tre Blair 0 0 0, Carmelo Thompson 7 5 23, Joey Pikiell 4 0 11, Mason Stokes 0 0 0, Aiden Lopez 1 0 2, Jayden Sokolowski 1 2 5, Jayeson VanBeveren 2 0 4, JonManuel Gomez 0 0 0. Totals: 21 10 60.
Three-point goals: McAtee (LM) 3, Pelletier (LM) 3, Daly (LM), Mooney (LM), Thompson (BC) 4, Pikiell (BC) 3, Sokolowski (BC).

Records: Lewis Mills 12-4 overall; Bristol Central 5-11.