TOP 20 COUNTDOWN, No. 1: Bartlesville high hoopster reaches 1,000 points
(Note: This is the final part of a series reviewing the Top 20 sports stories from the 2020-21 school year.)
NO. 1: TODAY’s BRUIN HOOP FANS WITNESSES TO HISTORY
When one takes a wide view of local high school boys basketball history, the first sight to dictate attention is the ongoing parade of incredible basketball talent throughout the past 75 or more years at College, Sooner and Bartlesville high schools.
This ceaseless procession of elite hardwood heroes is too comprehensive to identify individually, but, a few of the giant names include Bartlesville Athletic Hall of Famers Dallas Dobbs, Dee Ketchum, Rickey Jackson and Scott Martin, and Noah Hartsock in the early 2000s.
But, Bartlesville High Bruin hoops glory is not just embedded in the echoes of yesterday’s cheers.
Today’s Bruin fans are witnesses to one that has proven, through his first two seasons, to be numbered among the prime-time talents ever to pass through Bartlesville prep tradition — and he still has two campaigns left to add to his achievements.
More:Castillo scores 21 to help USA Basketball team win 1st game in World Cup U17
David Castillo distinguished himself the last school year by becoming the youngest Bruin player — in terms of varsity games played — to reach 1,000 career points.
He accomplished it in just 40 games — an average of 25 points per game — since head coach Clent Stewart chose him as a varsity starter at the beginning of his freshman year (2020-21).
Among his highlights has been to score 43 points in a shootout win against Ponca City and to help the Bruins double their win total from his first campaign (six wins) to his sophomore year (12 wins).
Castillo hasn’t been just a net-burning shooter, however. Designated at the point guard spot, he’s led the team in assists his first two years and also pulled down a passel of rebounds.
He’s also displayed a team-success attitude, showing an acute awareness of teammates with a leverage advantage and getting them the ball.
More:Barnsdall gridders pump weight to rev up for season
Through his performance and potential shown in national and international competition (more about that later), Castillo’s reputation has drawn a spotlight — ESPN has ranked him as the No. 1 point guard coming out of the high school class of 2024, and several top-tier Division I schools have offered scholarships.
Castillo still has plenty of time to set his future and forge forward — and Bruin fans still have two seasons to root for him in the Blue & White.
As mentioned, he’s already provided them plenty of thrills.
Perhaps one moment last year symbolizes all of them — and ranks as the top story of the 2020-21 school year, not only for the significance of the moment but as a representation of what he has mean to the program.
It happened in the Senior Night showdown last season at home against Owasso.
With 2:42 left in the game, Castillo headed to the free throw line. He drilled the offering to achieve his 1,000th career point.
Castillo went on to score 23 for the game.
But, the game followed a weird script.
Bartlesville led by five at halftime, 29-24, but scored only two points in the third quarter, which allowed Owasso to rally for a 61-51 win.
Bartlesville played three more games after this one, meaning Castillo added several more points toward the 1,100-point level.
Castillo’s story for the 2021-22 cycle went well beyond the prep basketball season.
More:Throng of area athletes harvested postseason recognition
While not technically during the school year, in August of 2021, Castillo played on the USA Basketball U16 national men’s team — an opportunity open to only 12 players throughout the nation. He scored 14 points in the gold medal game won by the USA in the FIBA America’s Cup tournament.
Castillo brought home his medal, and other tokens related to the victory, and shared them with Bartlesville.
Then, in the summer of 2022, just a few weeks after school let out, Castillo attended the USA Basketball U17 tryouts — and earned a spot on the 12-man team.
The American squad played in — and won — the FIBA World Cup tourney in Spain.
Castillo scored in double-digits four times and started all seven games as the USA powerhouse battled past all its challengers, including beating Spain in the July 10 final.
Castillo is still only partway up the mountain of his potential. But, the payback for his dedication, work, determination, skills development and focus has been heart-warming.
Speaking of warm, Castillo will attempt to heat up the nets again next winter and provide leadership to help try to lift the Bruins toward a higher plateau of achievement.
E-E TOP 20 STORIES FROM 2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR
No. 20: COPAN BASKETBALL: Hornet hoopsters hush doubtersNo. 19: PAWHUSKA FOOTBALL: Huskies grind to semisNo. 18: CANEY VALLEY FOOTBALL: Trojans find a wayNo. 17: COACHING CHANGES: Musical chairs at topNo. 16: BARTLESVILLE GOLF: Brown’s All-State styleNo. 15: BARTLESVILLE BASKETBALL: Cheers for Bruin hoopsNo. 14: OKWU SOCCER: Eagle kickers take flightNo. 13: OKWU CROQUET: Mallets heard ‘round the nationNo. 12: BARTLESVILLE TRACK: Height, speed and muscleNo. 11: BARTLESVILLE TENNIS: Runner-up warriorNo. 10: WCS CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK: Happy trails for Lady MustangsNo. 9: DEWEY TRACK: Streak to bronzeNo. 8: BARTLESVILLE SWIMMING: Howze — Golden strokesNo. 7: OKWU BASKETBALL: Elite Eight. Great!No. 6: BARTLESVILLE FOOTBALL: Bruin football: The Wright Fit?No. 5: OUHS BASKETBALL: Cougar hoops: Band of WinnersNo. 4: BARTLESVILLE FOOTBALL: Bruin gridders impressive in winsNo. 3: BARTLESVILLE TRACK: Wahl completes golden flightNo. 2: DEWEY SOFTBALL: Lady Doggers destined for diamond glowNO. 1: BARTLESVILLE BASKETBALL: Bruin hoops fans witnesses to history
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: David Castillo has scored 1,000 career points as sophomore
