CYCLING – When the halls of Wheeling Park High School were the quietest last season, the echo of basketball could be heard bouncing on the gym’s hardwood floors.
The cause of this reverberation? None other than the outstanding basketball player Alex Vargo.
The 6-foot-5 security guard was always working, even when no one was around. Now he benefits from his determination.
A freshman to Youngstown State, Vargo made an impression from the first tip of the season: he appeared in 22 of the team’s 27 games, averaging 4.8 points per game and a percentage of 32.1 field goals, a percentage of 30, 2 3 points and a percentage of 93.3 free throw percentage.
Vargo’s pivotal contributions helped the Penguins hit a 15-12 record and 7-1 mark in February.
During the eight-game series, Vargo saw 35 minutes and scored 17 points, including 11 points in a 60:50 win over Rochester, Michigan.
The Penguins fought in the Horizon League tournament on Tuesday before falling 87-83 to Oakland in extra time in the quarter-finals.
Even if the penguins don’t hear their name being used for the NCAA March Madness, Vargo’s first year was a valuable experience.
“I really like it there” Said Vargo. “It’s been a crazy year because of COVID and all, but I thought it was a really good experience. It was my first year and it doesn’t take away any permission. It was fun to be out there with a new team and a new coach. I started five games just trying to get used to the college speed of up and down. I just have to choose my seats better. “
Vargo did a pretty good job of choosing his spots in Wright State, where he hit a season high of 16 points. He also showed his talents in the Horizon League tournament winner Cleveland State, where he scored 14 points. He also racked up 14 points against Carlow, a game in which YSU hit a season high of 109 points in a dominant win.
“They want me to shoot the ball out there, and I love to do that.” Said Vargo.
Vargo’s favorite moment in the campaign came when Youngstown State beat Northern Kentucky on the road 70-60, ending an eight game loss to the Norse. It was also the program’s first win at the BB&T Arena.
Vargo made himself felt in the game with eight points in 17 minutes when he went 2: 5 out of 3 and 3: 6 from the field.
“We had never won at NKU before and we went down there and won.” Vargo said about his favorite moment of the season. “That was pretty cool for the seniors.”
Although fans couldn’t attend, Wheeling Park basketball coach Michael Jebbia watched almost all of the action online or on TV this year and was thrilled with his former player’s success.
“I thought he had a really good freshman campaign” Jebbia said. “I’ve seen some of his games online and some games on ESPN2. I think he played an average of 14 minutes per game which is really good for a real newbie who basically just turned 18 and is getting another year with COVID so he can play Division I ball for five years.
“When I spoke to him at the end of the season, he was very positive. He’s got the size, he’s got the time invested, he’s got the skills and I’m very proud of him. “
Jebbia made a lasting impression on Vargo when he stood up for the Patriots, which paved the way for the sniper to follow his dream.
“He just pushed me every day while I was training” Vargo said of Jebbia. “I think he knew I could be special so he always made sure that I do the right things and train.”
As for Vargo’s future, the sound of the ball bouncing in an empty gym or the calming noise of nothing but hitting a net shows that he wants to be great.
“I’m just going to try to come out more and more and show them what I can do.” Said Vargo. “I want to help the team win.”
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