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Clingan dominates again to lead Bristol Central over Northwest Catholic, into CCC final

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WEST HARTFORD – The top bracket in the Central Connecticut Conference tournament featured what the state’s best has to offer.

The biggest player, literally, of all of the great players in the bracket has put on quite a show over the first two games.

Bristol Central 7-foot junior center Donovan Clingan finished with 36 points and 27 rebounds as the fifth-ranked Rams took down second-ranked Northwest Catholic, 71-60, Wednesday night at Mirabello Court.

CCC BOYS BASKETBALL BRACKETS

It was a battle of CCC unbeatens as each time won its respective regular-season division race. Eli Rodriguez added 10 points for the Rams (14-0). Matt Curtis, an AAU teammate of Clingan’s, and Rhandyn Bair each finished with 18 points to lead the Lions (13-1).

Bristol Central, ranked fifth in the state, will play at East Catholic, the state’s No. 1 team, for the CCC top bracket title Friday at 6:45 p.m. Bristol Central, with wins over No. 2 Northwest Catholic and No. 4 Windsor would have a strong case for the No. 1 ranking with a win over East Catholic Friday. No. 3 Sacred Heart plays Naugatuck for the NVL title.

“We worked hard all year to get to this point, but we are not satisfied yet. We have one more to go,” Clingan said. “With the year that we have had, it feels great to have something. I’m excited for Friday. … They beat us twice last year. My goal is not to let it happen again.”

Said Barrette: “I have to find a way to beat (East Catholic coach) Luke Reilly. When we get back (to Bristol), my homework starts. … I know he will have his guys ready to go with a game plan for Donovan and we will be ready with our own game plan come Friday night.”

Northwest Catholic doubled- and tripled-teamed Clingan whenever he touched the ball in the low post – and times when he was just trying to post up – a common occurrence and something Bristol Central thrives on. 

“It’s important when I find the open man they either make their layups, hit their shots, get themselves to the free-throw line or make the extra pass,” Clingan said. “If i get double-teamed, someone is wide open, My job is to find the open man.”

Bristol Central led 53-51 with 5:38 left, then went on a 14-4 run to pull away from Northwest Catholic.

The Lions have been able to respond to any adversity, but weren’t able to answer the bell on Wednesday night.

“Tonight, we didn’t make enough plays offensively to match them,” Northwest Catholic coach John Mirabello said. “We couldn’t get anything done. Absolutely give them credit.”

Clingan had 75 points and and 53 rebounds in victories over Windsor and Northwest Catholic this week.

“Donovan is such a presence in the low post. It’s something you have to deal with. You have to know he will do a lot of good things on his own,” Mirabello said. “He just does so many little things well, he is patient, he doesn’t force anything. He is terrific and he still has got more time to go in high school.”

Barrette credited Carson Rivoira with making Curtis work for his 18 points.

“He knows he is taking the best player on the other team. He looks forward to the challenge,” Barrette said.

CCC SEMIFINALS

BRISTOL CENTRAL 71, NORTHWEST CATHOLIC 60

Bristol Central     19 10 19 23 – 71
NW Catholic         15   11  20 14 – 60
BRISTOL CENTRAL (71)
Victor Rosa 3 0-0 7, Damion Glasper 1 0-1 2, Eli Rodriguez 3 2-2 10, D’Ante Ross 2 1-1 5, Sean Winninger 3 0-0 8, Carson Rivoira 1 1-2 3, Donovan Clingan 14 6-8 36. Totals 27 10-14 71.
NORTHWEST CATHOLIC (60)
Jenyvic Spencer 5 0-0 11, Justin Asberry 1 0-0 2, Rhandyn Bair 5 5-7 18, Matt Curtis 5 6-8 18, Hayden Abdullah 5 1-1 11. Totals 21 12-16 60.
3-point goals: BC 7 (Rodrigues 2, Clingan 2, Winniger 2, Rosa); NWC 6 (Bair 3, Curtis 2, Spencer); Records: BC 14-0; NWC 13-1.