WPIAL Alum Q&A – Kason Harrell

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, December 20, 2016 | 3:15 PM

One of the biggest upsets of the college basketball season came about a month ago, when little-known Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne defeated third-ranked Indiana University. While the victory put IPFW in the national spotlight, some folks around Western Pennsylvania knew about the Mastadons previously. That’s because Kason Harrell, a former standout for Hempfield Area, has been playing for the team the past two seasons. Harrell is this week’s feature for the WPIAL Alum Q&A.

Harrell enjoyed a record-setting career with the Spartans, as he broke the school’s career scoring mark. He netted 1,905 points, averaging more than 15 points per game in all four of his campaigns. Additionally, he helped lead Hempfield to a very successful run atop its section, and cemented the Spartans as one of the top squads in the WPIAL’s highest classification.

In his junior season, Harrell reached the 1,000-point milestone, with a scoring average of nearly 24. The Spartans posted an undefeated mark in section action, and lost just three contests all year, including a quarterfinals matchup to North Allegheny in the Quad-A playoffs. Harrell’s accolades included Class Quad-A All-State Third-Team, and first-team MSA Sports All-Netters.

As a senior, Harrell guided the Spartans to a 21-4 mark, tying for the section crown at 11-1. Hempfield notched a playoff win against Gateway, and also earned a birth in the PIAA postseason. Harrell scored more than 25 points per contest, and for his accomplishments, he was named Second-Team All-State, and again first-team MSA Sports All-Netters.

Harrell continued his playing career for Division I program IPFW, but made only modest contributions as a freshman in 2015-16. He appeared in 16 games, playing just 72 total minutes. The Mastadons enjoyed an impressive season, going 24-10, including 12-4 in Summit Conference play. For its success, IPFW was rewarded with a bid in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

This season has been a revelation for the 6-foot-2 sophomore, as Harrell has played in all 12 of the team’s games, starting nine times.  He’s scoring an average of 10.8 points, with more than three rebounds and 1.5 assists per game, too. Arguably his finest effort came in the 71-68 overtime win against IU, as he played 36 minutes, scoring 13 points. The Mastadons are currently 9-3, including 7-0 on their home floor.

Despite his busy schedule, Kason took time to answer questions about his best basketball qualities, what the win against Indiana meant to him, and the best opponent he faced in high school.

Q: Your increase in both playing time and production has been substantial between last year and this year. What has allowed you to make those strides?

A: These strides would not have been possible without my Lord Jesus Christ. He helped me to keep my head up even when I wasn’t playing last year, and he made me a relentless worker this past offseason, which helped both increase my playing time and production.

Q: You’ve shot particularly well from behind the arc in the early going this year. Has that always been one of your strengths?

A: To be honest, until maybe the fifth grade, I always thought of myself as a driver. But my dad told me that if I was able to shoot well, that I could be an even higher scorer and a better player. So I started getting hundreds, and even thousands, of shots up a day so that I could make shooting a strength.

Q: Your team’s upset of Indiana made national headlines. How did that moment feel when the final seconds ticked off the clock?

A: When the seconds ticked off, I was so in shock, I didn’t know what to say. The fact that God helped me to be a part of such a special moment not just in my life, but for the city of Fort Wayne, was such a blessing. When the buzzer went off, after I thanked God, I found my mom and dad and we just cried and embraced each other. It was an amazing feeling.

Q: In addition to Indiana, IPFW has also played a ranked Notre Dame team. Do you feel any more pressure in those marquee games?

A: I really don’t feel any pressure at all. Not only because I pray and God helps me relax, but just knowing that I’ve been playing this game ever since I was 1 helps me to remember that I can have fun and just play. Games like Notre Dame and Indiana are games that I’ve been working my whole life to be able to play in.

Q: What are the primary team goals for this season?

A: Our goal has been the same since day one, and that’s do get better each day we step on the floor. We don’t really talk about winning our league or getting to the NCAA tournament every day, because we know that’s what we want to do and we don’t have to talk about it. But every day, Coach Coffman reminds us, “Get better today than you were yesterday, and get better tomorrow than you were today.”

Q: How much did you know about IPFW prior to beginning the recruiting process with the school?

A: When my dad told me that a school called IPFW was interested in me, I thought it was like a D2 or even D3 school and I was like, “no way”. I didn’t know much about them, and that almost made me pass on them.

Q: What was the biggest factor in why you decided to attend the university?

A: When I went on my visit there, and met with the assistant coaches and Coach Coffman, I started to form relationships and felt really good about it. Then, when coach told me about the system they play and the teams they play, I became even more interested. The thing that sealed the deal for me was hanging with the players and them making me feel like part of the team already.

Q: What is your major and ideal future profession?

A: My ideal profession is to work as an NBA commentator

Q: You played for three different head coaches in your four years at Hempfield. What were the difficulties and the benefits of that situation?

A: Playing for three coaches was something I really wasn’t used to. The benefits were that I was able to learn something different from each coach. Coach Jim Nesser helped me to become a tough player, both mentally and physically, and helped me develop a strong work ethic. Coach Mark Marino helped me have the experience of playing for a college coach while he was there. Coach Swan taught me how to have fun and enjoy playing the game of basketball. The only difficulty was getting adjusted to new systems in a short amount of time.

Q: What was your favorite memory from high school?

A: My favorite memory from high school was winning the section championship four times in a row. I’m glad I was able to share that moment with my fellow seniors (Dante Luther, Josh McFadden, Zack Irwin, Logan Swan, and Tony Pilato).

Q: Do you still follow the Spartans or stay in touch with former teammates or coaches?

A: Yes. I stay in touch with almost all of my coaches and teammates. Also, sometimes when I come home, we get together and go out to eat and catch up.

Q: Who was the best WPIAL player you faced?

A: The best WPIAL player I faced was Nolan Cressler from Plum. I faced him my freshman year and even though we won, he dropped 24 points on us.

Q: Who is your favorite NBA player, current or all time?

A: My favorite NBA player of all time is Kobe Bryant. He was the first player I ever watched on TV, and I studied him from that point on. His work ethic and competitiveness is something that I want to take from his game.

Q: Do you have a pre-game ritual?

A: My pre-game ritual is something I’ve done since my freshman year. Before every game, I don’t text, Snapchat, tweet, or post anything on Facebook. I also read the same three chapters in my bible every game day (Psalms 23, Philippians 4, and Colossians 3). Also, I listen to music all day and watch highlights of all my favorite NBA players.

Q: What is your favorite holiday?

A: My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving because I like to eat.