Second Half Surge Propels Bristol Central to Win Over Northwest Catholic in Title Game

Published On: March 20, 2022Categories: Schools, Sports

Audio By Carbonatix

Northwest Catholic's Matt Curtis (5) and Bristol Central's Donovan Clingan (32) battle under the basket. Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo credit: Amanda Sirica

Northwest Catholic of West Hartford ended the season Saturday as runner-up in the CIAC Division II basketball championship, losing to Bristol Central 56-36.

At the end of the first quarter, with strong defense by both teams, the game was tied at 10. Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo credit: Amanda Sirica

By Ronni Newton. Photos by Amanda Sirica and John Lyons

Heading into Saturday night’s Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) Division II State Championship game, Northwest Catholic had only lost two games – and one of those losses was to Bristol Central, which came on strong in the second half for a 63-56 win in the finals of the Central Connecticut Conference tournament on March 3.

Saturday night was another second-half story, with the Lions unable to contain 7-foot-2 Donovan Clingan who finished with 25 points, 17 of them in the last two frames, as Bristol Central pulled away for a 56-36 win and the championship trophy.

7-foot-2 Bristol Central senior Donovan Clingan makes one of his 24 rebounds. Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo credit: Amanda Sirica

With both teams playing stifling defense, the game was tied at 10 after the first quarter, and Bristol Central led by just two points, 22-20, at the half.

Clingan, who is headed to UConn next year, had 24 rebounds to go with his 25 points – propelling his team to a second undefeated season in a row. Senior Damion Glasper was the only other player in double figures for the Rams, with 15 points.

Bristol Central defensive heat stifling NWC’s Matt Curtis. Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo credit: Amanda Sirica

Northwest senior Matt Curtis, who is committed to D1 Fairfield University for the class of 2023, was held to just 15 points (five in the first half) and had 10 rebounds, while freshman Badara Diakite chipped in eight and had 13 rebounds.

In a win over fellow West Hartford team Conard High School in the semifinals on March 15, Curtis had 23 points.

Northwest has won the state championship six times since 1972, most recently in an overtime victory over Wilbur Cross in 2003. The team’s last appearance in the title game was in 2012, a 51-49 loss to Career Magnet.

Bristol Central had not reached the finals since 1990, when they beat St. Joseph for their first state championship 66-65. Their first appearance, in 1987 was a loss to Warren Harding.

Northwest Catholic’s London Jemison is 6-foot-7, but struggles to defend 7-foot-2 Donovan Clingan. Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo credit: Amanda Sirica

Northwest Catholic fans had a large cheering section. Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo credit: Amanda Sirica

Tip-off. Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo credit: Amanda Sirica

Coaches speak to players during a timeout. Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo credit: Amanda Sirica