Strath Haven’s John Harrar a two-sport prospect

From fifth grade through his sophomore year at Strath Haven, John Harrar focused on basketball. “I thought I was going to stick with the sport and play it in college,” the 6-foot-8, 230-pound senior said. “But then the coach [longtime Panthers football boss Kevin Clancy] kept bugging me to come out for the team.”

Harrar fared well as a junior defensive end and then, in the recently completed season, was highly impressive as a two-way end. He earned first-team all-Central League honors on both sides of the ball.

“I got stronger physically and learned from the coaches the ins and outs of the game’s technical aspects,” the 17-year-old said. “Now I’m leaning toward playing football in college.”

Tuesday night on the hardwood, Harrar produced 26 points and nine rebounds to spark visiting Strath Haven to a 76-67 triumph over Central League rival Springfield. Harrar has drawn recruiting interest in basketball from Army, Bowling Green, Cornell, Elon, Quinnipiac, and Rider.

“He’s a game-changing athlete,” Strath Haven hoops coach Dave McFadden said. “He’s really good at picking apart a defense. He’s very athletic for a kid his size.”

With Harrar averaging 20 points and 10.4 rebounds, the Panthers are 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the Central League. “We’re on the young side, so we’re still trying to jell as a team,” Harrar said. Last season, McFadden’s first in charge, Strath Haven went 19-5 and lost to Hatboro-Horsham in the first round of the PIAA District 1 Class 4A playoffs.

Click HERE to read the full article.