Florida recruit has thrived

By KEITH NIEBUHR, Times Staff Writer
Published December 28, 2007

TAMPA - Being one of the country's top high school basketball players has its advantages.

Namely, it afforded Eloy Vargas, a 6-foot-10 power forward from Plantation American Heritage, the opportunity to earn a scholarship to play for the two-time defending national champion Florida Gators.

But as Vargas has discovered, there is a downside.

"Everybody wants to play me," he said. "Everybody wants to show me what they've got."

Despite having a large target on his back, Vargas, rated the 10th-best prospect in the Class of 2008 by Rivals.com, has thrived.

In a 78-74 loss Thursday to Humble (Texas) Christian Life in the quarterfinals of the Tampa Hoops Classic at the Sun Dome, he scored 18 and grabbed 14 rebounds. And he did that playing on a sprained right ankle that still requires icing after games.

"He has wonderful touch around the basket and around the perimeter," Christian Life coach Carlos Wilson said. "When his ankle is better and he's able to put the ball on the floor, he's going to be a monster."

As a junior at American Heritage, Vargas averaged 21 points per game, but his stock really soared after leading his team to the AAU national championship last summer.

The offers poured in, but in the end, Vargas, who moved to Florida from the Dominican Republic before his sophomore year, chose Florida over Louisville and Pittsburgh.

In Gainesville, Vargas figured, he could play relatively early because, in his words, "all the guys left" after the 2006-07 season.

"He can really do it all," American Heritage coach Danny Herz said. "He can pass, drive, shoot. There are very few big guys who can do that."

Still, there is work to be done. Adding weight to his 210-pound frame is a priority. So, too, is improved ball handling and added physicality inside the paint.

"I've got to get better," the soft-spoken Vargas said.

Other results From Tampa Hoops Classic: Consolation bracket - Plant 59, Galena (Nev.) 50; Wharton 47, Miami Northwestern 44; Jacksonville Lee 79, Whitefield Academy (Ga.) 60; Pinellas Park 69, East Hall (Ga.) 54. Championship bracket - Orlando Olympia 48, Miami Norland 47; Bishop Loughlin (N.Y.) 71, Gainesville 53; Princeton (Ohio) 66, Ridgewood 56.

Kingdom of the Sun: Lakewood continues to roll at the tournament in Ocala.

The Spartans (13-0) set up a matchup with Berkeley Prep (10-0) by downing Weston Sagemont 69-55 in the quarterfinals.

Michael Morrison, a 6-9 signee with George Mason, scored 14 to pace Lakewood.

"We've got a group of guys who have really bought into our philosophy of pressing the ball and creating as many layups as we can," Lakewood coach Dan Wright said.

Berkeley Prep allowed just 11 points in the first half in its 48-39 win over Gainesville Eastside.

Keswick Suncoast Classic: Tampa Prep routed Mount Dora Bible 89-41 at the tournament in St. Petersburg.

Patchan update

Armwood senior tackle Matt Patchan, left, one of the nation's top linemen, will miss the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in January in Texas because of mononucleosis, coach Sean Callahan said.

And Patchan will announce his college decision at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 5 at Club Tampa Palms. Patchan has narrowed his choices to Miami, Florida and LSU.

Patchan was recently named first-team All USA by USA Today.

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

[Last modified December 28, 2007, 01:09:51]