CASTO’S GROWN UP
Christian Casto’s body finally caught up with his spirit.
When the high school basketball season started a year ago, Casto was a lanky, 6-foot-2 back-up post for the Freeman Scotties. Coming off his first football season, his size-14 feet were as likely to trip him up as launch him skyward.
Today, with his team guaranteed a spot in the Eastern 1A Regional tournament after beating Lakeside of Nine Mile Falls in overtime Wednesday, the senior is a 6-foot-5-inch presence in the middle for the Scotties thanks to a growth spurt and long hours toiling in the school’s weight room.
“I finally grew into my body,” Casto said, smiling broadly. “I was walking around last year with size 14 feet that I wasn’t ready for. I guess I’m just a late bloomer.”
Casto bloomed in two sports as a senior.
The spindly junior turned out for football a year ago for the first time and coach Jim Wood inserted him in the lineup despite his lack of experience.
“He told me that was the only way I was going to learn,” Casto said. “I felt like I was a half-step behind the whole year.”
Casto had the same experience during basketball season.
His younger brother, DeAngelo, was expected to start and dominate as the Scotties’ center last year. But he abruptly transferred to Ferris, leaving a hole in the middle of the Freeman lineup.
“I had to step up and try to fill the void last year,” Christian said. “I was over my head some of the time, but my teammates helped me and encouraged me.”
Casto’s bond with his teammates is powerful – especially with fellow seniors Andrew Dresback, Scott Ferguson and Chris Davis.
“We’re like brothers,” Casto said. “We’re all really close.”
Casto joined his brothers in the weight room over the summer to add bulk to his growing frame. The added muscle, combined with a year’s worth of experience, turned Casto into a force on the football field as both a middle linebacker and a tight end.
“I finally felt like I was playing the game,” he said. “I understood the game and what was happening. It was like the game slowed down and I was part of it.”
The same thing happened this season on the basketball court.
With his new body and new athleticism, Casto turned into a powerful rebounder and shot-blocker, with occasional bursts of scoring.
Casto erupted for 20 points against neighboring Liberty in the final game of 2006, sparking the biggest run of offense in his career. The senior scored in double figures in seven of his team’s 10 league games – including 16-point efforts in wins over Colfax and Chewelah.
The Scotties finished the regular season tied with Colfax for the Northeast A League title with identical 8-2 records. To no one’s surprise, both qualified to advance to the Eastern 1A Regional tournament that opens next week in Wenatchee.
It’s also no surprise that Freeman’s strength is its camaraderie.
The team thrives with a minimum of conversation. These Scotties rarely bark; but together they bite.
“I think coach (Mike) Thacker had trouble understanding us that way,” Casto said. “But the thing is, we always have each other’s back. We’re like brothers that way.”
The brotherhood was put to the test Wednesday.
Dresback was sick the day before the game, Davis was slowed by a turned ankle and sophomore Chris Miller went home sick the day of the game and didn’t make the trip to Mead for the game.
What’s more, Casto got into early foul trouble and was only a token presence in the game.
Still, the Scotties managed to earn a 53-50 win in overtime thanks to some timely foul shooting by Dresback.
“This was one of those games you just like to get behind you,” Casto said. “But all of our games with Lakeside have been like this.”
The senior is looking ahead to playing college sports. The University of Idaho has been in touch. A scout for new head coach Robb Akey watched Casto play basketball when the Scotties played at Colfax. The Vandals like Casto’s new frame and can easily see him continuing to grow, especially in the school’s weight program.
“I would love to go there,” he said. “My future is in football, I know that. I have too many holes in my basketball game.
“I think I can easily add another 40 pounds or so from the weight room. They’re looking at me to play defensive end and get after the quarterback. I think it’s a great fit.”