By Michael Letendre 

BRISTOL – There’s absolutely no doubting that Bristol Central senior Julius Powell would have made a huge difference on the fortunes for the boys basketball program this year.

Unfortunately, an injury during the football season derailed any of those plans for Central and longtime head coach Tim Barrette.

And in Division I play, would a 6-foot-8 giant have been of any help this year?

Absolutely as Barrette was going use Powell in a twin towers approach with fellow senior Jayeson VanBeveren.

“Wouldn’t this been nice all year to have those two horses” playing together said Barrette of Powell and VanBeveneren.

But Powell was able to suit up against crosstown Bristol Eastern this past Monday evening. 

In a pre-game arrangement, Powell was able to tally Central’s first hoop of the game, hitting a quick lay-up, in a fitting tribute to the squad’s fallen big man.

But that ceremonial basket led to something even bigger that night.

That hoop led to 17 straight points by Central as the team held off Eastern by a 59-52 final.

The win helped Central break a nine-game losing streak after a decent 5-4 start to the campaign.

Powell and VanBeveren (12.9 points-per-game) would have been tough in Central’s high-low offensive schemes and defensively, there wouldn’t have been that many loose ball rebounds to collect.

“It changed a lot for us this year,” said Barrette of Powell’s injury. “Julius, single handily, was probably going to be a difference of four to six wins. You’re looking at a team that could have been 12-8 or 10-10 instead of 6-14.” 

The Rams lost four games this season by five points or less, including a one-point setback at Berlin followed by a narrow 45-43 defeat to Conard in West Hartford. 

Central lost to Xavier 52-49 but an aggressive center in the mix for the Rams – with Powell leading the charge – probably could have staved off defeat in just about all of those games.

And Powell would have been a factor in showdowns against Middletown, Farmington and rival Bristol Eastern the first time around.

But that tough schedule was going to produce losses for the Rams no matter who took the floor for Central this year.

Showdowns against Windsor and East and Northwest Catholic would have challenged all the elite programs in the state of Connecticut and opposing coaches knew that very fact.

“Bristol Central has one of the toughest schedules around,” said Eastern coach Bunty Ray.

So, what’s the bottom line for Powell?

Over the last two seasons, Central is a perfect 27-0 when Powell takes the hardwood for the Rams – adding a state championship along the way.

In one of his most memorable games, Powell had that huge stint against East Catholic last season during the Rams’ second regular season game.

Powell notched eight huge points and kept Central afloat before starting center Donovan Clingan came back into the contest.

Central won that showdown over the Eagles by a 74-59 final from Mohegan Sun Arena on December 21, 2021. 

The Rams were a perfect 28-0 last season and that’s a truly impressive legacy Powell is leaving the BCHS boys basketball team despite the injury setback this year.

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