By Michael Letendre

BRISTOL – The lowest rated seed remaining in CIAC Class L play in girls hoop this year belongs to a squad from Bristol.

And No. 19 ranked Bristol Eastern is more than ready for a huge second round challenge on Thursday night.

But it’s going to take a little extra gas money to arrive at the Kingstreeters’ ultimate destination.

The Lancers travel to No. 3 Edwin O. Smith in Storrs – with the UConn campus looming as a backdrop – for a confrontation against the double tough Panthers in what’s turned into another CCC state tournament bout.

The third ranked team in the Class L field had little trouble dispatching No. 30 Farmington (56-32) in first round play on Monday and now has its collective sights set on the Lancers.

Smith (20-4) has a ton of answers which includes senior Maddy Hughes (15.0 points, 6.0 rebounds-per-game) who will put the locals to the test.

Eastern (11-11) will counter with Taigan Parent (14.1 ppg, 58 three-pointers) and a hungry crew ready for another upset.

The Lancers put together a fantastic game against No. 14 South Windsor (52-46) during opening round play on Monday afternoon and hope for a similar finish against Smith.

Lancers used veterans and first year players to knock out the Bobcats

Parent dropped in 13 points against South Windsor while Eastern got a big lift from freshman Jayle Evins Mosley (team-high 14 points, six rebounds), dropping season highs in both points and rebounds.

Between fellow freshmen Autumn Udoh (12 points, six rebounds) and Evins Mosley, the duo combined to shoot 11-of-15 from the field for 26 points while scooping up 12 total rebounds.

The future is now for the Eastern program and tonight’s showdown in Storrs is going to be a good one if the Lancers can get its offense into high gear and play a little defense. 

A win by the Lancers would mean a quarterfinal date against either No. 11 Avon or No. 6 St. Joseph – both on the road.

Eastern fell to St. Joseph 46-29 back on December 29 over a non-conference affair.

Here’s the breakdown of the Class L bracket:

Class L – Second Round (All games to commence on Thursday, March 2)

No. 17 Hillhouse (12-9) at No. 1 Pomperaug (18-2), 6:30 p.m.

No. 9 North Haven (16-5) at No. 8 Bristol Central (16-5), 6:30 p.m.

No. 13 Fitch (14-7) at No. 4 Torrington (17-3), 6 p.m.

No. 12 Windsor (14-7) at No. 5 Simsbury (17-4), 6:30 p.m.

No. 18 Masuk (11-10) at No. 2 Holy Cross (18-2), 6:30 p.m.

No. 10 New Canaan (15-6) at No. 7 New Milford (16-5), 6:30 p.m. 

No. 19 Bristol Eastern (11-10) at No. 3 E.O. Smith (18-3), 7 p.m. 

No. 11 Avon (15-6) at No. 6 St. Joseph (17-4), 6:30 p.m.