BREAKING: Fairport’s star player Yomar Castellano has just been named the Division VII Northeast Lakes District Player of the Year by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association, announced earlier today, March 3. This recognition highlights his exceptional performance this season, where he leads the Skippers with an impressive average of 19.1 points, alongside 3.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.4 steals per game.
Fairport has enjoyed a remarkable season with a current record of 21-2, setting the stage for a crucial district final on March 7. Castellano’s dominant play has been pivotal in the team’s success, with their only losses coming against Riverside and Glenville. The honor marks an important first step in the All-Ohio process, recognizing talent based solely on regular-season performance.
In addition to Castellano’s accolade, Skippers’ coach Dustin Ettinger has been named District Coach of the Year, one of four area coaches to receive this honor. His leadership has been instrumental in guiding the team to its current position as a contender.
Other notable coaches recognized include Josh Jakacki of Kenston, who led his team to a 20-3 record and a remarkable 14-game win streak this season. Meanwhile, David Bargar of Chagrin Falls and Shawn McGregor of Kirtland also earned coach of the year honors in their respective divisions.
The all-district teams feature several standout players from the area. In Division I, Mentor’s Jack Kennedy and Tony Katava made the first and second teams, respectively. In Division II, Mekhi Asberry and Kye Owens from Euclid were both named to the first team, while teammates DJ Jenkins, Drew Brown from Riverside, and Izzy Austin from Mayfield also received second-team honors.
Division III saw considerable representation from local talent, including first-team selections Prince Williams of Hawken, Caden Proy of Geneva, Brody Durham of Gilmour, and Armani Hall of Harvey. The second team featured Luke Galfidi from Chardon and Kahlil Hinton from Kenton.
In Division IV, Brendan Hernan of NDCL, Steph Bohanon of Benedictine, and Kaiden Brewster of Perry made the first team. Chagrin Falls had three players recognized in Division V, while Kirtland’s talented duo of Ben DiFranco and Lucas Renfro earned first-team honors in Division VI.
With these exciting developments, all eyes will be on Fairport as they prepare for their upcoming district final. The buzz around Castellano and his teammates is palpable, making this a thrilling moment for the community. Stay tuned for more updates as the season progresses and these talented athletes continue to shine on the court.
