Allentown Central Catholic boys basketball coach Dennis Csensits said that it’s unusual for any freshman to get to play in his program, much less become a starter.
But Jahrel Vigo was that unusual talent that earned a starting role for the 2021-22 Vikings one season after the program won a PIAA 4A championship.
Vigo not only got into the starting lineup but stayed there throughout a 21-6 season that included the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference’s West Division title, a berth in the league semifinals, District 11 4A semis, and an appearance in the state tournament.
While ACCHS was not able to duplicate its success of the previous season and didn’t win a league, district, or state title, Vigo’s contributions served notice the program will remain among the area’s elite over at least the next three seasons.
In becoming The Morning Call’s rookie of the year for the 2021-22 season, Vigo averaged 4.5 points per game but was a steady rebounder and defender for the Vikings.
His first start came in the team’s first home game, a 39-29 win over Bethlehem Catholic in which he scored nine points, all in the first half.
His steal and slam dunk energized the team and crowd and demonstrated he was ready for the big stage of varsity high school basketball.
“Every day during the preseason my assistant coaches kept saying Jahrel was looking good and deserved a chance,” Csensits said. “Finally I listened to those guys. He didn’t start our opener, but we went with him for the Becahi game and he really blossomed and ran with the opportunity.”
Csensits said that with Vigo “it seemed like the moment was never too big for him.”
“So many young players struggle with the physical strain of competing at the varsity level for the first time and also adjusting to the urgency on the defensive end,” Csensits said. “He embraced those things and made a lot of big baskets for us, too. We’re excited about his future.”
Vigo scored 10 points in games against District 11 6A semifinalists Nazareth and Northampton and nine in a game played in front of a packed gym at Emmaus.
But it was his athleticism and energy that stood out more than his point totals.
Vigo’s approach to the game caught the eye of teammate Tyson Thomas.
“There’s a lot of kids who say they want to learn, but they don’t and keep on making the same mistakes,” Thomas said. “Jahrel is different. He wants to learn and get better. He works and works and keeps pushing until he gets things right. That’s why he’s got a great future.”
With Thomas, Liam Joyce, and several other significant players graduating, the 6-foot-1 Vigo will have to play a bigger role for next year’s team. He’s ready for the challenge.
“I had to learn that the varsity game is much more fast-paced than middle school,” he said. “But I also learned that you can’t go full speed all the time. I know that Becahi game and getting that dunk made me feel like I belonged on the court.”
Csensits said that he might have to go to a point-guard-by-committee formula next season and Vigo will have to become more of a ballhandler.
“I have to get my handles up and get more pace in my game,” Vigo said. “There are a lot of things I need to work on, including my free-throw shooting. I had a better 3-point shooting percentage than I had from the foul line. I’m also going to have to be more of a leader. I think I can handle it.”
Vigo’s cousins Eli and Isaiah were both talented players for Allen in recent years. It’s a basketball family and Vigo, who transferred from Whitehall before his freshman year, is happy to be part of the Vikings basketball family.
“I plan to put in the work to get better every single day,” he said. “I am going to have big shoes to fill, but I think I am ready for it.”
Csensits has no doubt Vigo will be an even better player next season.
“He’s a good student, very coachable, and has a positive attitude,” Csensits said. “He can play a lot of different roles for us on the floor and defend a lot of different positions. He rebounds the ball exceptionally well for someone his size. He can be a very special player for us.”
Past Morning Call rookies of the year
2016: Justin Paz, Bethlehem Catholic
2017: Titus Wilkins, Notre Dame
2018: Daryl Coleman, Southern Lehigh
2019: Brendan Boyle, Notre Dame, and Nate Ellis, Allen
2020: Nick Ellis, Freedom
2021: Nick Coval, Parkland
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