By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
Deyrell Vargas is the newest member of Hodgdon’s 1,000-point club.
“Joining the 1,000-point club is a goal I’ve been wanting to achieve ever since I was a young kid,” he said. “I have always been under-sized, but I know that I can use my quickness to pull up anywhere or drive to the hole.”
Vargas hit the milestone in the Hawks’ home preliminary game against Wisdom last Wednesday when he was fouled behind the 3-point line two minutes into the final quarter.
Contributed photograph
HITS MILESTONE — Hodgdon’s Deyrell Vargas scored his 1,000th high school point recently. At the presentation with Vargas were, from left, Hodgdon coach Rob Smith; Vanessa Vargas, Deyrell, Gina and Deylo Vargas.
“When I was at the line for three shots, I thought I needed all three points,” he said. “So, I threw up an air ball so I could get it [1,000 points] on a jump shot. Ever since I was young, I wanted to get 1,000 points on a jumper.”
But, that was not the case, as he had two more free throws left to shoot.
“My teammates then told me I only needed one point, so with a grin, I made my next free throws,” he smiled. “It was kind of embarrassing, but it is a funny memory I will never forget.”
Vargas’ situation is unique, as he could have reached this plateau at two different schools. From ninth grade to his junior year, Vargas accumulated most of his points while playing point guard for the Greater Houlton Christian Academy Eagles before transferring to Hodgdon this year.
If he had stayed at GHCA, he would have accomplished the feat earlier in the season, but he chose to risk the personal milestone for a chance to play in the Eastern Maine tourney with the Hawks.
“I knew once I transferred to Hodgdon that we have all the tools and arsenal to [make a tourney run],” said Vargas. “Participating in the tourney is a privilege and I’m determined to make some memories out of it.”
Vargas and company are on their way to achieving his next goal, to help bring gold to the County.
The Hawks defeated Fort Fairfield, 57-42, in the Class D quarterfinals and move to the semifinals on Thursday to play No. 2 Easton at 2:05 p.m. at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.
“My role has changed a bit from my junior to senior year,” explained Vargas. “At GHCA, I knew I had to score a lot of points in order to try to win the game. But at Hodgdon, I don’t need to score as much because there are simply more scorers. I’m usually second in scoring, but I’m constantly looking to set up shots for my teammates to help us have a balanced attack.”
With a new number, a new uniform and under a new team, Vargas has not forgot his former teammates at all.
“They know why I transferred and if I owed anything to them it would be to win the gold for them as well,” he said. “They’ll always be my ‘teammates’ and we respect each other. We continue to be best friends and talk basketball often.”
