Girls basketball Coach Jamal Woodson says captain senior Mary Vargo has the ideal personality to lead the team.
“Vargo is the perfect combination of serious and funny at the same time,” Woodson said. “When you need someone to make you laugh, that is Mary. When you need to be serious, it’s her.”
That mix of humor and intensity is intentional, Vargo said.
“I have a lighthearted personality and I like joking and making my teammates laugh,” she said. “But when the game starts, I lock in and focus on making smart plays to win.”
Vargo started playing basketball to follow in her brothers’ footsteps.
“My three brothers (Nick, Luke, and Josh) are what got me into the sport. I would go to their games, which made me want to play just like them,” Vargo said.
Vargo started playing basketball at age 10 and immediately fell in love with the sport. Woodson has now been coaching Vargo for four years.
“Mary is the person your team cannot live without. She’s the hustler, our rebounder, and our scorer,” Woodson said. “She always guards the best player on the other team and knows her role.”
Baldwin coaches and players aren’t the only ones who recognize Vargo’s talent, Wilson said.
“When other coaches see us, the first thing they do is comment about Mary,” Woodson said.
Vargo always stays optimistic when playing.
“My favorite thing about basketball is how the game can always change. You could be down 20 and still come back,” Vargo said. “So I like to say it’s not over until it’s over.”
As an athlete, Vargo takes inspiration from Michael Jordan.
“I look up to him because of the way he competes and talks about working hard,” Vargo said. “I think of his energy when I’m playing, and it pushes me to keep going.”
Junior Laci Bernotas has been playing basketball with Vargo for nine years. She appreciates Vargo’s energy.
“Mary supports the team by always bringing positivity and energy,” Bernotas said. “She’s constantly encouraging her teammates and lifting everyone’s spirits.”
Her teammates’ energy and the desire to win is what keeps Vargo motivated.
“My teammates’ energy is what motivates me to keep my energy level high, even when I’m tired,” Vargo said. “And of course I want to win because we work hard.”
Bernotas also recognizes Vargo’s strengths in the game.
“Her greatest strengths are her hustle and speed, which allow her to get easy steals and turn them into layups,” Bernotas said. “Her effort and quickness make a big impact on the game.”
Vargo prepares for her games by blasting Drake’s music and having pep talks with her friends.
“Rap music gets me hyped up for my games,” Vargo said.
She loves the nature of the sport just as much as she loves spending time with her friends.
“I love the competition part of the game but I also love getting to see our hard work in practice pay off in the games,” Vargo said. “Another big part of basketball I love is doing it with my friends who work so hard.”
