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
Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo credit: Amanda Sirica
Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo credit: Amanda Sirica
At the half, Bristol Central led 22-20. Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo credit: Amanda Sirica
Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo credit: Amanda Sirica
Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo credit: John Lyons
Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo credit: Amanda Sirica
Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo credit: Amanda Sirica
Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo credit: Amanda Sirica
Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo credit: Amanda Sirica
Matt Curtis shoots free throws. Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo credit: Amanda Sirica
Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo credit: John Lyons
Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo credit: John Lyons
Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo credit: John Lyons
Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo credit: John Lyons
Badara Diakite at the free throw line. Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo credit: Amanda Sirica
Northwest Catholic Athletic Director Ashley Mara and Head of School Father Michael Dolan. Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo credit: Amanda Sirica
Bristol Central celebrates their win. Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo credit: Amanda Sirica
Northwest Catholic players after the game. Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo credit: Amanda Sirica
Bristol Central poses for a photo after winning the championship. Northwest Catholic vs. Bristol Central. CIAC Division II Championship. March 19, 2022. Photo courtesy of CIAC
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