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Harvey’s athletic department has selected the top male and female student-athletes of the winter term. Director of Athletics Ray Lacen has announced that senior Jonah Kass and junior Peyton Forde have earned the honor.

“Jonah and Peyton not only had outstanding winter seasons representing Harvey on the basketball court but were fine students as well,” Mr. Lacen said. “Their successes on the court coupled with their academic performances make the two of them deserving of the recognition,” Mr. Lacen said, adding, “They are tremendous leaders who have set the standard for the future of both basketball programs.”   

Kass, a co-captain and top scorer on the boys varsity basketball team, averaging a team-leading 16 points per game, helped lead his squad to capturing both the Housatonic Valley Athletic League (HVAL) and New England Prep School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) championships. Named HVAL All-League and All- NEPSAC, Kass was selected as the MVP of the NEPSAC championship game. His outstanding senior year also saw him enter the school’s record books when he scored his 1,000 career point this season, becoming only the fifth player in the history of Harvey’s boys basketball program to do so.

Boys varsity basketball coach Denis Arnautovic is happy to see Kass recognized for his success on and off the court. “Jonah is a true competitor, which we got to see firsthand in so many games. Teammates follow players who demonstrate great character and lead by example, and Jonah was that player for us. As one of the captains he set the tone from the beginning of the season which led us to a second championship in just three years. I am very grateful for all he has done for our program.”

Peyton Forde’s junior year as captain of the girls varsity basketball program was another one for the record books. She became only the third girl to reach the 1,000 point career milestone. The team’s leading scorer and point guard earned her third straight HVAL All-League selection and was chosen All-NEPSAC and a New England Prep Schools Girls Basketball Association All-Star. Forde averaged 27 points, along with five assists per game, seven steals and six rebounds per game.

Girls varsity basketball coach Mike Duignan praised Forde as “a winning player.” The coach said, “Peyton is a player who can take control of a game, yet allow her teammates to play to their strengths at the same time, whether it’s getting an important rebound, making a good pass, or scoring an important basket. Peyton understands it takes contributions from all of her teammates to allow the team to grow and improve.”

Kass will be attending Syracuse University in the fall and major in finance while Forde will continue her studies at Harvey and play basketball for the Cavaliers next winter term for her fourth and final year.