ALL-COUNTY BOYS BASKETBALL MVP PROFILE
Hernando County has had great basketball players before Tyler Bergantino.
If he does sign a Division I scholarship, he won’t be the first, or the second. It would take a nearly impossible senior season to touch Central grad Tyrone Goodson’s county record of 2,109 career points.
But when his individual accomplishments are combined with his team’s success, the Nature Coast Technical center has certainly carved out a niche in local hoops lore.
“He’s already considered one of the best high school players to come out of Hernando County, and he’s got one more year to solidify his legacy,” Nature Coast Head Coach Dave Pisarcik said. “If we can make a Final Four appearance, if we can find a way to get it done, that’s going to solidify his legacy.”
As a junior, the 6-foot-9 Bergantino paced the county in scoring (17.9 points per game), rebounding (12.5) and shot blocking (4.8).
He also led the Sharks back to the Elite Eight for the second straight season, making Nature Coast the first county program to accomplish such a feat.
His play and presence has started to garner him recognition throughout Florida. He received an All-FACA All-State selection and appeared on the Mr. Basketball ballot for Class 4A.
On a local scale, he was a unanimous repeat choice by the county’s coaches for Hernando Today Player of the Year.
“It’s very humbling. It means a lot to me. It shows me the work paid off,” Bergantino said. “I wish we would have gotten farther for the seniors on the team. I think we had a fun year and did our thing for the most part. But other than that, I’m not really satisfied with the outcome.”
Lofty goals
That a Hernando County team feels it fell short advancing to a regional final speaks volumes of how big the Sharks can dream behind their big man.
Consider that the opponent that ended Nature Coast’s season, Leesburg, went on to capture the 4A state championship.
The Sharks actually led the Yellow Jackets late in the third quarter, but faded down the stretch in a 60-47 defeat.
Bergantino carried his team early with a yeoman’s effort on both ends of the court, scoring 12 points in the first half. Leesburg limited his touches after halftime, holding him to six points the rest of the way.
“It showed us we were competing with them for three quarters. We can compete with anybody in the state if we can compete with Leesburg,” Bergantino said.
“I’m so motivated. I want a (championship) ring so bad. I want to bring Nature Coast a state championship. That’s what I’m all about this year.”
From a personal standpoint, he already surpassed the vaunted 1,000-point barrier in 2010-11, becoming the first Shark to do so. He’ll enter 2011-12 sitting on 1,150 career points over 76 games.
Now he’ll have an opportunity to add to that total and show more progress in his game.
“He got better in every category. He’s more experienced now. He’s starting to dominate games. We’re starting to realize how good we can be and it starts with him,” Pisarcik said.
“I’ve never seen some of the defenses coaches do (on Bergantino). They’ll give up a layup for Tyler not to have the ball. Tyler has that much influence on the game.”
Polishing up
Nature Coast will return three other starters – Donovan Ingram, Blake Lowman and Caleb Martin – around Bergantino next season, so the supporting cast should still be capable.
But how can Bergantino, a natural in the paint, polish up his own set of skills in order to take this squad over the top and enhance his own stock?
“Mostly athleticism and defense,” Bergantino said. “I need to be more dominant. I’m working on my post moves.
“I need to be more dominant mentally. I want to go in with an attitude like an animal. That comes with confidence and confidence comes with working hard.”
Bergantino has never had an issue with putting in time, whether in the weight room or on the court. He plays year-round thanks to AAU and the extra effort has paid dividends.
“I think he improved his range,” Pisarcik said. “During his sophomore year, we would take him where he felt comfortable. Now we’re trying to add some range to his game. He’s just going to get better.”
Of course, Bergantino has incentive to keep making strides beyond his final prep campaign. Major colleges have sniffed around him for a while now.
As he charges toward his final days in a Nature Coast uniform, he’ll soon establish his next destination.
“I’ve been talking to Wake Forest, Virginia Tech. Just a couple colleges,” Bergantino said. “(This month) I’m hoping to get a lot of phone calls.
“It all depends on when the right offer comes out. If I like a college, they like me, it’s a great school, I might jump on that.”
By the Numbers: Tyler Bergantino
– Compiled by CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.
YR GP FG 3PT FTA FTM PCT TP PPG
Fr 12 43 00 47 24 51% 110 9.17
So 31 180 00 137 89 65% 449 14.5
Jr 33 250 00 160 95 59% 591 17.9
TOTALS 76 473 00 344 208 60% 1,150 15.1
Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at 352-544-5288 or [email protected].
