Mars graduate John Castello, now a senior at Shippensburg University, ducks under a defender on the way to the basket. Castello has tallied more than 1,000 career points and rebounds with the Red Raiders.

SHIPPENSBURG — Count on him.

When it comes to Mars graduate and Shippensburg University senior John Castello, Red Raiders men's basketball coach Chris Fite knows he can.

And he has.

Castello made his 116th consecutive start at forward for Shippensburg Wednesday night at Millersville. The Red Raiders won that game, 87-66, and their senior class needs a win Saturday at home over Lock Haven to become the all-time winningest group in the program's history.

“That pretty much sums up what John has meant to us,” Fite said. “He's been there all the way. We knew what we were getting when we recruited him and he's exceeded expectations.”

Last weekend, the 6-foot-4 Castello became the third player in Shippensburg history to tally 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in his collegiate career. He now has 1,490 points and 1,014 rebounds with the Red Raiders.

“I never thought I'd do anything like that here,” Castello said. “It's a pretty cool thing because it's been so rare.”

Dustin Sleva — a teammate of Castello's for two years — scored 2,071 points and amassed 1,140 rebounds at Shipp. He graduated in 2018. Keith Hill, a 1991 graduate, had 1,780 points and 1,118 rebounds.

“Dustin was an All-American and is off to a great pro career over in Paris,” Castello said. “I benefited a lot from playing with him early in my career here.

“Defenses had to pay so much attention to him that I was able to sneak in there for a lot of easy points. It was like my early years at Mars, playing with Robby Carmody.”

Castello tallied 1,436 points and 1,119 rebounds with the Planets. He graduated as Mars' all-time leading scorer before Carmody went on to crack 2,000 points.

He ranks eighth on Shippensburg's all-time scoring list and third in career rebounds.

“John's not the guy who's gonna go out there and score 30 points a game,” Fite said. “What he does do is get you 15 to 20 points, eight to 15 rebounds, and he does it every night.

“Power forward is his best position, but he's played multiple positions for us. He's such a humble kid, very unselfish. He's played the 5 spot for us at times. He can guard post players, he can guard on the outside. He can power to the basket, he can shoot the 3.

“The guy just takes care of business,” Fite added.

Shippensburg is 95-23 during Castello's four seasons, including 20-4 so far this season.

“We won the PSAC championship my freshman year,” Castello said. “I'd love to see us win it again my senior year, so I can go out the same way I came in.”

If the Red Raiders pull that off, he will have a lot to do with it. Castello is shooting 85 percent from the foul line this season and is over 80 percent for his career.

He's produced 36 double-double games and 134 3-point field goals in his collegiate career.

“A marketing major, Castello does not anticipate extending his playing career beyond this season.

“This is probably it for me. I don't see myself putting on a uniform again once we're done,” he said. “That's why I want to get as much out of this year as I can.”

He's been playing the past couple of weeks with a pulled muscle in his back, but has yet to miss a game.

“I've had some spasms, but it's been getting better,” Castello said. “Just play through it. It's my last year and there's no way I'm sitting.”

There's no way he's not producing, either.

“Night after night, production we can count on,” Fite said. “I know John's been hurting, but he is one tough kid.”