By Michael Letendre  

BRISTOL – The Bristol Central girls basketball team has enjoyed tremendous success as of late and this year’s team returns more than a few talented players that have been there and done that, looking to taking another step forward. 

However, veteran head coach Steve Gaudet must intergrade several freshmen competitors into the mix, eager to hit the court. 

The Rams will have to survive a stretch without senior standout Brooke Watson, recovering from an injury, but this program has enough in the tank to have another successful campaign. 

Here’s a look at the Rams this season: 

BRISTOL CENTRAL GIRLS BASKETBALL     

Head Coach: Steve Gaudet (20th season)     

Last Season’s Record: 17-7 overall in 2022-23 (No. 8 Bristol Central lost in Class L, second round action to North Haven, 58-46).     

Overall Record: In 19 seasons at Central, Gaudet has an all-time record of 114-271.    

Subtractions: Kaley Laird.    

Key Players: Arianna Rivera (sr, guard, 9.2 ppg), Brooke Watson (sr, guard/forward, injured, 8.9 ppg), Leilani Jackson (jr, forward, 9.8 ppg), Nicole Riemer (so, forward, 9.3 ppg), Molly McMahon (so, guard), Julia Pikiell (so, guard, ppg). 

Additions: Freshmen Laylani Cespedes, Olivia Louis, Myah Steiner and Gabby Bernier   

Strengths: Returning veterans, shooting   

Weaknesses: Depth  

Why Central will be successful: This squad has put together two seasons of back-to-back .500 ball. Those returning starters know what it takes to win close games over the past couple years.      

Relevant Fact: The last time the Rams had three consecutive winning seasons came during 1999-2001. Central went 37-23 over that stretch (61.6-percent) and were postseason participants. 

Overview: Central has several critical players back in the mix for 2023-24 but will have to take the court without a ton of depth and a boatload of underclassmen – some with varying amounts of experience – must produce for the program.  

“We had a great year last year, but we are very inexperienced this year,” said Gaudet. “With Watson being out, we have one senior (Rivera) and one junior (Jackson) and the rest of the varsity team is three sophomores and four freshmen. We will take our lumps early on, but I anticipate that we will improve over time as the season progresses and the young kids gain experience.”  

Some of those sophomores played a ton of minutes last year and that means those underclassmen are already ahead of the game. 

No played at Central scored in double-figures last season but that didn’t mean much because the squad played excellent team defense. 

But the offense was diversified as the top-four leading scorers were less than a point apart, all posting around nine points-per-game. 

Expect big things from senior Ariana Rivera (9.3 ppg) and junior Leilani Jackson (9.8) – the two top scorers from 2022-23. 

Jackson is a lethal shooter from anywhere within the three-point stripe and can finish at the hoop. 

She has a nose for the ball, hits her free throws and doesn’t mind playing a little defense. 

“Leilani Jackson is an outstanding scorer who will continue to knock down big shots for us,” said Gaudet. “She will also have to step up her leadership and help Arianna Rivera as they are the only two healthy upperclassmen at the start of the season.”  

Rivera is a perfect senior leader on this squad who excels on both ends of the court, along with fellow senior Brooke Watson (8.9 ppg, team-leading 15 three-pointers). 

Watson will start the season on the injured list and Gaudet hopes to get her back right around midseason.  

The Jackson-Rivera duo will be counted on to score even more this year, getting those scoring averages into double-figures. 

Rivera can put the ball into the hoop, finish in the lane and has quick hands for steals. 

And if she – along with Jackson – can improve their shooting from three-point territory, Central’s going to have a difficult 1-2 combo to guard. 

“Like Jackson and Watson, Rivera was an all-conference player last year for the Rams,” said Gaudet. “Her improved range and ability to get the ball to the basket will be key to the Rams season.”  

And then off the bench last season, sophomore stud Nicole Riemer (9.3 ppg) was simply tremendous. 

She was the leading scorer off the bench, is capable of a 20-point game on any given night while returning as the squad’s best rebounder. 

Riemer is tough in the paint and her board play and defense will help set the tone this season as she steps into a larger role. 

“Nicole Riemer was a huge contributor as a freshman last year, and she has shown a tremendous amount of growth from last year to this year,” said Gaudet. “She will be an integral part of our team’s success.”  

Sophomores Molly McMahon and Julia Pikiell should see expanded roles as well and if the duo can make shots, that contribution will go a very long way. 

Without Watson, who nearly splashed in half of the squad’s three-pointers last season, someone is going to have to drain shots from downtown to keep opposing defenses honest. 

Beyond that crew, varsity experience will have to come on the fly for several first-year competitors. 

“Depth is a major concern,” said Gaudet. “We lost some key players from last year, so we are going to need to stay healthy and develop our young players.”  

Gaudet expects to get some play out of freshmen Laylani Cespedes, Olivia Louis, Myah Steiner and Gabby Bernier, helping to spell the absence of Watson. 

But any minutes that freshman crew can contribute could go a long way during the second half of the season. 

“These freshmen will be forced to play much more meaningful minutes,” said Gaudet due to the Watson injury. “Cespedes and Louis have shown that they can contribute this preseason, and their athleticism is an outstanding addition to the team.”  

The scholastic basketball season is a marathon, not a sprint, and it will take a bit of time to see where this squad can go once all the pieces are healthy and have a little seasoning. 

In terms of the league, Gaudet says that “Berlin and Middletown look like the two best teams in the South.” 

Hopefully, the Rams get into that conversation later in the year.  

Games to watch this season: The Rams have a slew of home games to start the campaign and the battle on December 27 – pitting pesky Platt against Central at the annual BC Holiday Classic – should be a good game to catch. 

Of course, January 16 is the first Central/Eastern showdown – taking place from the Charles C. Marsh Gymnasium while the rematch rolls around on February 12 at BEHS.