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WEEKEND PREPS WEB REPORT: Castillo nails 42 points in Bruin win; Nowata sweeps

mike tupa, bartlesville examiner-enterprise
·3 min read
Bartlesville High's David Castillo goes strong to the hoop during a 42-point night against Sapulpa High on Dec. 2, 2022, in the Bruin Fieldhouse. Bartlesville won the home opener.
Bartlesville High's David Castillo goes strong to the hoop during a 42-point night against Sapulpa High on Dec. 2, 2022, in the Bruin Fieldhouse. Bartlesville won the home opener.

New Bruin player Smith adds 23 points

Like an old Cadillac, the Bartlesville High boys basketball team took a while Friday night to warm up its attack.

But, once it got going, the Bruin machine surged like a pouncing tiger on its way to an 85-55 home opening win against Sapulpa High.

One thing that was never in doubt from the opening second was Bartlesville's emotional generator. It was set to overdrive.

"I thought we played so hard," Bartlesville head coach Clent Stewart said. "I was so proud of our heart and energy. We were the aggressor."

David Castillo provided the most fuel for the Bruins, filling the nets with 42 points and, as the Bruins continued to get hotter, delivering some dizzying passes for assists.

New Bruin player Michael Smith III added 23 points.

Sapulpa proved to be a stubborn foe throughout — but the Bruins continued to bludgeon away on offense to prevent the Chieftains from any major uprising.

Castillo put on his best show in the second half, scoring 24 points and setting up several teammates for buckets.

Bartlesville led by 15 at halftime, 34-19, and outscored Sapulpa, 51-46, in the second half.

Castillo reached 39 points on a free throw with 4:25 left. He missed his other charity chance to reach 40 points — he finished 11-of-12 from the stripe for the night.

Bartlesville High's Micheal Smith III bolts down court in attack mode during a clash against Sapulpa High on the Bruins' season home debut on Dec. 2, 2022.
Bartlesville High's Micheal Smith III bolts down court in attack mode during a clash against Sapulpa High on the Bruins' season home debut on Dec. 2, 2022.

A few minutes later, Castillo drained a trey — off an assist from Jack Wahl — to reach 42, just before Bruin head coach Clent Stewart cleared the bench with Bartlesville leading, 85-59.

Rounding out Bartlesville’s starting lineup were Aadhi Ayyappan, Dayton McCall and Caleb Rogers. Wahl and Riley Duong were the first players off the bench. Rogers grabbed 10 boards.

Senior guard Aadhi Ayyappan is a third-year starter for the Bartlesville High varsity boys basketball team, which opened the season by defeating Sapulpa, 85-55, on Dec. 2, 2022, at the Bruin Fieldhouse.
Senior guard Aadhi Ayyappan is a third-year starter for the Bartlesville High varsity boys basketball team, which opened the season by defeating Sapulpa, 85-55, on Dec. 2, 2022, at the Bruin Fieldhouse.

Sapulpa finished the game on a 6-0 run.

Castillo scored 40-plus points for the second time in his career — perhaps a Bruin milestone. His career high is 43 points against Ponca City High, unleashed during his freshman season (2020-21), also at home.

Prior to tip-off Castillo and his parents were honored for Castillo's second-straight summer of winning a gold medal in USA Basketball international competition. This past summer, Castillo earned one of 12 roster spots on the USA Basketball U17 boys team, which won the World Cup hoops tournament, held in Europe.

(Note: A follow-up story with more details and stats is planned for Tuesday’s weekend wrapup report).

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First year Bartlesville High starter Kadance Barnett takes the ball strong to the rim during the girls basketball season home opener on Dec. 2, 2022, against Sapulpa High.
First year Bartlesville High starter Kadance Barnett takes the ball strong to the rim during the girls basketball season home opener on Dec. 2, 2022, against Sapulpa High.

BARTLESVILLE GIRLS

The Bartlesville Lady Bruins displayed unyielding fight in a 93-43 loss to state championship favorite Sapulpa.

Starting for the Lady Bruins were Grace McPhail, Kaelynn Duncan, Alayah Dunn, Kadance Barnett and Mikka Chambers.

Duncan rang up Bartlesville’s first points on a three-pointer, off a McPhail assist.

Unofficially, Duncan finished with 18 points, 10 of them in the second half.

Sapulpa displayed just too much speed and quickness to take advantage of the inexperience and chemistry blending among a largely retooled team by second-year Bartlesville head coach Justyn Shaw.

Bartlesville High's Kaelynn Duncan dishes the ball during the girls basketball season debut on Dec. 2, 2022, against Sapulpa High, at the Bruin Fieldhouse.
Bartlesville High's Kaelynn Duncan dishes the ball during the girls basketball season debut on Dec. 2, 2022, against Sapulpa High, at the Bruin Fieldhouse.

Most encouraging was Bartlesville’s attitude of competitiveness to the final buzzer.

Next up, the Lady Bruins and Bruins play host Tuesday to Bixby.

(Note: More details on the BHS-Sapulpa game are planned later.)

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Dewey's Clayton Evans, left, tries to pressure Nowata's Skyler Stevens during high school boys basketball action on Dec. 2, 2022, in Nowata. Nowata won, 65-55.
Dewey's Clayton Evans, left, tries to pressure Nowata's Skyler Stevens during high school boys basketball action on Dec. 2, 2022, in Nowata. Nowata won, 65-55.

OTHER ACTION

Nowata took two from Dewey in a rivalry collision that opened the season for both schools.

Nowata High's Trailee Watson, left, looks to shoot over Dewey High's Bailey Hughbanks during a girls basketball showdown on Dec. 2, 2022, in Nowata.
Nowata High's Trailee Watson, left, looks to shoot over Dewey High's Bailey Hughbanks during a girls basketball showdown on Dec. 2, 2022, in Nowata.

In the girls’ game, Nowata powered to a 52-39 victory, thanks to the Stamps of approval. Nadean Stamps scored 16 to lead Nowata. Madi Barnes and Kennedy Nubel and nine and eight points, respectively, in the Nowata head coach debut of Thad Hewitt.

C.J. Holmes scored nine in Michael Sanders' first game as Dewey head coach.

Nowata led, 20-9, at halftime and never looked back

Dewey High's Jeremy Highsmith, left, and Nowata's Yahmarion Cole wage a tall battle for the ball during boys basketball action on Dec. 2, 2022, in Nowata.
Dewey High's Jeremy Highsmith, left, and Nowata's Yahmarion Cole wage a tall battle for the ball during boys basketball action on Dec. 2, 2022, in Nowata.

In the guys’ game, Nowata outlasted Dewey, 65-55.

Three Dewey players scored in double figures — Jeremiah Highsmith 13, Jace Williams, 12, and Colby Miller 11.

For Nowata, Spencer Bullen poured in 22 points, followed by Skyler Stevens with 18 and Yahmarion Cole with 16.

Wesleyan Christian School boys knocked off South Coffeyville to improve to 2-0.

(Note: More details on these and other games are planned later in the weekend.)

This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: A look at weekend basketball reports for area preps