Athlete Spotlight: Harvey's Jonah Kass set for Syracuse

KATONAH, N.Y. - Future basketball players at The Harvey School will be well aware of the name Jonah Kass.

The Katonah native recently finished his high school career with a phenomenal senior season that saw him write his name into the record books. Kass is now part of an elite group of players who scored more than 1,000 career points with the Cavaliers, and helped lead the team to a pair of NEPSAC championships.

The Katonah-Lewisboro Times caught up with Jonah to learn more about his favorite memories at Harvey, plans for the future, and his advice for young student-athletes looking to follow in his footsteps.

How did you first get started playing basketball? What do you enjoy the most about the game?

I've always had a passion for competing in sports. Since I was able to walk, I always had a ball in my hand, shooting on a mini hoop that my parents set up inside our house. I would spend hours just constantly shooting on the basket and making different scenarios of game situations in my head. Then, when I got bigger, I went and practiced on my driveway hoop for hours. I would work on my ball skills, practicing different skill moves and worked on my shot. When I was 6 years old, my father brought me to the Boys and Girls club in Mount Kisco for youth clinics geared towards increasing my skill set. Then, in 3rd grade, I started playing town basketball and eventually making the town travel team, playing against other town teams in the Tri County basketball league. I also played AAU basketball since I was young. There would be competitive tryouts with kids from other towns, and our teams would play in tournaments all up and down the East Coast, against some of the best competition in the area. When I played in my first travel basketball game, the feeling was like nothing I've ever experienced before. The adrenaline, the feeling of scoring, and winning all contributed to me falling in love with the game of basketball. Even when I stepped onto the court as a senior in high school, I still had the excitement and happiness I had when I was 6 years old.  

How much did you value being a captain and leader on the team?

I was honored to be named captain of my varsity basketball team after an extremely successful sophomore season. Growing up, I've always held myself to a high standard on the court and to my peers. Being able to lead such an amazing group of guys that I'm proud to call my brothers was an experience I will never forget. Being able to take the court with my teammates having my back and supporting me was the greatest feeling in the world. I love the feeling of being able to help my teammates in every way possible on and off the court. Being a captain of my team the last two years has been one of the biggest highlights of my basketball career. The team is led by my incredible Head Coach, Denis Arnautovic who I know will continue to lead this amazing team into the future. 

Who has been your biggest role model over the years? What have you learned from them?

My biggest role model throughout my entire life and basketball career would be my father. From a young age he has coached, trained and built me into the person I am today. From 3rd to 8th grade, he was my travel team head coach and was able to help me develop into a better player. We would spend hours constantly shooting, drills and running so that I could become the best player I could be. Even throughout my high school career, he continued to coach me and gave me advice to help in certain situations. One thing that my dad has always taught me was that people might be bigger, faster or even stronger than you, but you need to have more heart than each person you are going against. I not only live by this advice for athletics, but in every aspect of my life. 

What is your favorite memory from your athletic career at Harvey?

When I first sat down with my basketball head coach, he asked me what my goals were for playing varsity basketball. I said to him that my goal was to win a championship for Harvey and score 1,000 points in my career. My favorite memories are that all those goals were achieved ! We won two NEPSAC class C championships with one second place finish, and I ended up scoring over 1,000 points in my high school career. My sophomore year, we won the first NEPSAC championship that The Harvey School had won for over 20 years. Being able to work so hard for something every single day with your closest teammates and to finally achieve your goals at the end is truly the greatest feeling I have ever had. After last year's NEPSAC finals loss to The Wheeler School, we all took it upon ourselves to work even harder with more determination for this year's season. Not only were we able to win the NEPSAC championship, but we also become the first Harvey men's team to win 20 games while also winning the HVAL title.    

What’s next after graduation? 

I'm proud to say that I'll be attending Syracuse University next year, majoring in Finance at the Whitman School of Business. I hope to continue my basketball career playing in their club program.     

What is one thing about you that not many people may know?

I love to spend time with my family and friends. Spending time with people I love is extremely important to me. They are my support group and also my biggest fans in the world and watch every single game of mine.

For a young athlete attending Harvey, what would you tell them about the experience of being a part of the basketball program and why they should go out for the team?

Being a part of The Harvey School’s varsity basketball team has been the best three years of my life. Being able to play for an amazing coach who was able to help me not only become a better basketball player, but a person as well. Being able to play basketball with your best friends at school is truly the greatest feeling in the world. I've made so many memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. This program was not just a team, but a brotherhood which I feel that everyone should be able to feel throughout their high school years.