Shelby High's Casey Lantz signs with Ashland University
As a crowd of family, teammates and coaches looked on, Shelby High School’s Casey Lantz officially signed his national letter of intent to play college basketball at Ashland University during a ceremony on April 12.
“Thank you guys for coming,” he told the crowd gathered in the Shelby gym. And thank you guys for all the support over the years. It’s meant a lot.”
Lantz, a senior guard standing 6-foot-5, described his visit to Ashland University as a pivotal moment in his decision-making process.
“When they contacted me and got me on campus, walking around, it felt like home,” he said in an interview. “It was really nice.”
“The facilities were great, the coaches were great, and everybody was really good people,” Lantz said in an interview, expressing his immediate connection with the campus environment.
As for his academic aspirations, Lantz is considering majors within the business field, with his choices focusing on business management or business analytics.
Lantz also reflected on the support from the community, which he credits for much of his success and motivation.
“Oh, I mean, it’s awesome. I think it’s just an example of how good our community really is. Everyone shows a ton of support and it just really helps everything around here,” he mentioned, highlighting the community’s role.
Averaging 12.9 points per game, Lantz was a key member of the Final Four team that advanced to the state semifinals in March. His 2023-24 basketball season honors include All-ohio special mention, District 6 first-team, Allnorthwest District second team and Mid-ohio Athletic Conference second-team.
Natalie Lantz, Casey’s mother and coach of the Shelby girls varsity basketball team, shared her enthusiasm about the values and environment at Ashland, which solidified Casey’s decision.
“To know that he’s going to a school known for getting a great education, a great culture, Christian atmosphere, fantastic program, and a program that’s continuing to get better and better,” Coach Lantz said in an interview.
“And the kids that they recruit are good kids, and coaches that have followed him for a couple years, and really have loved his growth, and believe in him and what he can be at the next level, I don’t think you could want anything else for your kid or any kids,” said Coach Lantz.
She is the 12-year varsity coach for the Lady Whippets’ basketball and has 23 years coaching experience with the program including freshmen and JV.
Coach Lantz noted the talented senior class for the Shelby boys basketball team with “a lot of them going on to play at the next level,” including Alex Bruskotter at Wright State, Issaiah Ramsey signing to play football at Ashland where the Lantz and Ramsey will room together, and Tanner Hartz heading to Heidelberg to play football.
“It’s just a talented great group of kids,” Coach Lantz said.
“He’s had such a good brotherhood here with his
buddies playing basketball and football and baseball and track and everything all of the way up,” she said.
Coach Lantz spoke of the sense of belonging Casey felt during his visit to Ashland.
“When he went on his visit to Ashland, and he played with the guys at an open gym, he said, ‘Gosh, it felt like I was just right back with my brothers,’” Coach Lantz said. “And so to see him find that and be happy, that’s what you want for your kids.”
Her other son is Cody Lantz, a member of Shelby’s 2021 regional semifinalist basketball team. He currently plays basketball for Miami of Ohio-hamilton.
Coach Lantz herself was a star basketball player for Shelby in the early 1990s on a team that advanced to the state championship game. She later was a standout
player at Ohio University.
Mike Lantz, Casey’s father, reflected on his son’s long journey and effort in the sport.
“It’s a reward for the amount of work Casey’s put in for the past 10 to 12 years,” Mr. Lantz said. “He’s put a lot of time in after practices, after school, and this is a reward.”
“He’s worked hard to get to this point in his life and this is what he wants. I can’t be more proud of him and more excited for him,” Mr. Lantz said, echoing the sentiments of pride and excitement that filled the gym.
The commitment to Ashland University marks not just a personal milestone for Casey Lantz, but also a celebration of achieving a major aspiration.
“I mean, it was definitely a big goal to move on to college,” he said. “So finally
feeling like I was able to achieve that goal, it’s a great feeling. “All of the work I put in night and day, mornings, very late nights. It just feels like a lot of pressure has been relieved.”
At the April 12 ceremony in Shelby, Pat Lewis, the Whippets’ athletic director, highlighted the importance of Casey’s hard work and dedication to reaching this milestone.
“It’s always exciting for me personally to do these things, these signings. We’ve been fortunate enough this year, been very blessed, to have quite a few of our seniors be in a similar position that Casey’s put himself in,” Lewis told the crowd.
He noted that Ashland is not far from Shelby.
“A lot of you are going to have the opportunity to see him play at the next level,” Lewis said.