The junior totaled 51 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, 11 steals and three blocks in two wins that improved Valley View to 11-1 overall. One of the wins was a 45-43 victory over Scranton Prep that marked the first time since January 2004 that the Cougars beat the Classics. Castellani had 23 points, four rebounds, three assists, five steals and two blocks in that game. She then had 28 points, seven rebounds, four assists, six steals and one block in a 59-35 triumph of Wallenpaupack.
Family: Father, Corey; mother, Kelly; brother, Nico
Coach: Rob Martin
What were some of the things the defense to hold Scranton Prep scoreless for the final 2:41, enabling the team to rally from a three-point deficit for the win: I’d say the top three things we did that whole game was definitely our defense, rebounding was a big one and just playing at our own pace, not speeding up. We had really good on-ball defense, we rebounded and didn’t give them second looks when they got shots up and playing at our pace. We didn’t panic and did the little things that needed to be done. That helped us win the game.
How about your defensive mindset and how you are able to get so many steals and blocks: Me personally, I play very confident and I feel I’ve been playing smart. As a team, it helps that we’re all friends on and off the court. It’s never I in the game of basketball to me. No matter what you do, offense, defense, it’s never one person. I feel that has been helping us win this season so far. Playing as a team.
Is there anything in your game offensively that you’ve worked on that helped you score as many points as you did last week: I definitely would say driving to the basket more. Especially in the Wallenpaupack game. My threes were really off and my shot in general. So I took it to the basket more and that’s definitely where I got most of my points. So I’d say taking it to the basket.
The win over Scranton Prep was the first for Valley View since 2004. What does that mean to you and what can that do for the team moving forward: Scranton Prep is still a very good team. But beating them sets our bar a little higher. It gives us more confidence and we can take that same amount of energy to the next games we’re going to play.
How crazy is it that you weren’t born the last time Valley View beat Scranton Prep: It’s a really cool thing. How many years they held that, it’s good that I got to experience ending that.
What is it like playing in such a tough division like Lackawanna Division I: I feel all of the schools are equal, so it depends who does what better that game. We try to focus on what we need to do to win because it can be anyone’s game. The little things like rebounding, good defense, getting good looks on offense. It’s very fun to play in those games. To have those moments with our team, I love everyone on our team. It’s really fun to win with the team I’m with.
Other sports I play: Softball
You started on Valley View’s state softball championship team last season. What was that experience like: It was very exciting and we recently got our rings for that. I still think about it, I’ll never get over it. I don’t think any person will if you were on that team. It was just a very, very exciting thing. I’m really happy that I can go through my life saying I was a state champion.
What, if anything, did you take from that experience that helps you in basketball: Just that the work you put in definitely helps. Getting out on the field, getting reps, being on the court and working on the things you need to work on. I’d just say the hard work pays off.
Favorite teams: For football, I’ve always been a Pittsburgh Steelers fan. My whole family has been. I like watching everyone for basketball, but lately I’ve been a fan of LSU because I like their energy and I really like their uniforms as well. As far as the WNBA, I like the New York Liberty.
Favorite food: Steak
Cake or pie: Pie
Favorite school subject: I do dual enrollment at Lackawanna College and I took a criminal justice. I thought that was real interesting and I hope to make a career possibly in that. So I’d have to say that.
Athletes I admire: One is Natasha Cloud of the New York Liberty. She reminds me of myself with the energy she brings. Then Caitlin Clark because I really like the confidence that she has. No matter what she always has that confidence. And then Michael Jordan, just because he’s different from everybody else.
Superstitions or rituals: My dad has holy oil and he blessed me with it and puts it on my knees to hope for no injuries. He also will light a holy candle on my game days.
If I could have any superpower, it would be: Super speed or invisibility.
One word to best describe me: Determined
App on my phone I used the most: Snapchat or TikTok
Three people I’d like to have dinner with: Natasha Cloud, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant
Post-graduation plans: I want to go to college and play basketball as well. That’s definitely the goal. I would like to set my career doing something in criminal justice. I’m not quite sure yet what that is, but hopefully I can achieve that.
Do you prefer playing basketball over softball: One thing that’s important that I want to say is whatever season I’m in, whether it’s softball or basketball, I definitely give 100 percent to that sport. Both of them are just so fun to be in and I enjoy that team. I just give 100 percent and support everyone else out there.