Boys basketball player of the year: Allentown Central Catholic’s Jahrel Vigo soared about the rest

A basketball purist will tell you a slam dunk is worth the same amount of points as a mid-range jumper, a layup or a putback.

A field goal is a field goal, theyll say.But in the case of Allentown Central Catholics Jahrel Vigo, a slam dunk often meant more than two points on the scoreboard.His dunks often energized the crowd and his teammates and created momentum shifts that sent the Vikings on to game-changing runs.

The more dramatic the dunk, the more influence it had on his team.Vigo had more than his share of spectacular dunks over the last four seasons as a Viking, but it wouldnt be fair to label him as a guy who could only rattle rims.Throughout the course of his career, his game expanded, making him a player who could pass, defend, rebound and score in multiple ways.

It all came together in the 2024-25 season when Vigo led Central Catholic to a 23-5 record, a third straight District 11 4A championship and the second round of the state tournament.For his impact on his team and on local basketball, Vigo is The Morning Calls player of the year for the 2024-25 season.Jahrel has really made a mark on our basketball program this season and throughout his career, Vikings coach Dennis Csensits said.

Honestly, hes one of the best competitors to wear the Allentown Central Catholic uniform.He put the team on his back time and time again, leading us to victories in some pretty unbelievable ways, he said.

Its like he has this magic ability to turn the game around when we need it most.

Hes not just a scorer, hes been a complete game-changer for us.Vigo, listed at 6-foot-4, averaged 20.3 points per game and compiled 169 rebounds, 123 assists, 69 steals, 23 blocks and 100 deflections.

He shot 66.6% from the field and 79.6% from the line and was voted by the coaches as the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference player of the year.He was a third-team Class 4A all-state selection last year and finished his career with 1,614 points.

Each year, he scored more than the previous year, and as a senior, he tallied 585 points with 31 3-pointers.His biggest moment came in the district semifinals against Saucon Valley, when he kept the ball on Central Catholics final possession and scored with 3.3 seconds left to give the Vikings a 44-42 win.He followed that up with a memorable 38-point performance in a 68-57 victory over Northwestern Lehigh in the district final and then in his final game at Rockne Hall tallied 21 points in a 73-49 triumph over West Philadelphia in the opening round of the state tournament.I worked hard on my game, he said.

I definitely worked on my dribbling and shooting coming into my senior year.

I had changing roles within my team each year.

My freshman year was coming off the state championship and we had leaders like Tyson Thomas and Liam Joyce and my role just grew each year.

Each season it was a matter of figuring out what I needed to do and how I could make my team better.Vigos dream was to win a state championship, and Central Catholic advanced to the state semifinals in 2022-23, his sophomore season, before losing 67-49 to Neumann-Goretti.

In each of the last two seasons, the Vikings lost in the second round of the PIAA tournament.Winning a state championship is probably one of the hardest things ever and we couldnt quite get there, he said.

But I got three district championships and an EPC title and 1,000 points.

I feel like I definitely accomplished what most people dream of accomplishing in high school.

Im very proud of myself and very proud of our team.Csensits was proud of Vigos development as a player and a student-athlete.Whats really impressive is how he impacted the game in so many different ways, he said.

He has led the team in almost every statistical category, which is no small feat.

I remember when he first joined the program as a freshman he was a power forward, dominating in the paint with his scoring and grabbing offensive rebounds like a veteran.

But over the years, he has evolved his game.

By his senior year, he was running the point guard position and showcasing his skills from the perimeter and making plays for his teammates.Vigo said he grew up in Allentown but attended Whitehall schools in fifth, sixth and eighth grade.

He attended Sacred Heart Elementary School, next to Central Catholic, in seventh grade.While at Sacred Heart, he played for a strong St.

Elizabeths CYO program.

Up until ninth grade, he wasnt sure where he was going to play high school basketball.There was a lot of talk about where I should go, because I attended Our Lady Help of Christians in kindergarten through fourth grade and then went to public school in Whitehall and then back to Sacred Heart, he said.

My parents really left it up to me to decide where I should go.

My stepmom went to Central and so did my older brother, so it kind of felt right to come here.

I am glad I did.Vigo arrived right after the state championship season and learned from players like Joyce and Thomas.Those guys definitely helped me out a lot, he said.

They taught me different things and helped me get accustomed to playing varsity basketball.

I started as a freshman halfway through the season.

I definitely wanted to be a starter right away, but coach made it clear that I had to work in practice and become a part of something bigger at the varsity level.

During the summer and the beginning of the season, I definitely worked hard and I finally got my shot.Vigo was The Morning Calls rookie of the year in 2021-22, but kept expanding his game over the next three seasons.You learn something different every year and you get better, he said.

Youre not the same player you were the previous season.

You have to get better.

Its definitely a building process.Vigo is uncertain of his college future.

He was given a scholarship offer from Siena, but it was contingent on him attending prep school for a year.He has played for the prominent Team Final Red AAU program where he is looking for more exposure and more opportunities.Im just trying to figure out whats the best situation for me, he said.

Siena is something I am thinking about, but I am still weighing all of the option.

I wouldnt say I am disappointed I dont have more D1 offers.

It kind of gives me more fuel to keep working and become a better basketball player.

I do what I can control and work hard and just let it happen.

I will do whatever it takes and strive to play basketball the right way.

No matter where I go, Im going to continue to put the work in.As his final season sped toward its conclusion, the Central community knew it had a special player on a farewell tour and Vigo was besieged by young kids seeking autographs and photos after his each game.

Vigo says he likes being a role model and inspiring kids in the community.I definitely wanted to enjoy the moment, he said.

I try not to think about the past or dwell on the future and keep the focus on the present.

It makes me very happy that kids look up to me.

I want to show them they can do the same things Ive done.Csensits believes Vigos legacy will linger for a long time at Central Catholic.He left a tremendous legacy at Central as someone who always wanted what was best for his team and teammates, Csensits said.

Wherever he goes, he is going to work hard and make a positive impact.Past Morning Call players of the year2000: Anthony Ross, Dieruff2001: Danny Hinds, CCHS2002, 03: Ray Barbosa, Allen2004, 05: Jason Greene, Whitehall2006: Terrence Roderick, Allen2007: Brian Hunter, Emmaus2008: Travis Stoudt, Dieruff2009: Jaleel Clark, Parkland2010: Darrun Hilliard, Liberty2011: Hilliard, Liberty, and Jalen Cannon, Allen2012: Greg Bobal, Emmaus2013, 14: Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman, CCHS2015: Devante Cross, Parkland, and Sam Iorio, Parkland2016: Sam Iorio, Parkland2017: Sam Iorio, Parkland; David Kachelries, Emmaus; and Tyrese Martin, Allen2018: Ryan Young, Bethlehem Catholic2019: Justin Paz, Bethlehem Catholic2020: Caleb and Malek Mims, Freedom2021: Jevin Muniz, Executive2022: Brendan Boyle, Notre Dame-GP, and Christian Fermin, PM West2023, 24: Nick Coval, Parkland.

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