Player of the year
Erica Gribble
Sr., G, Greensburg Central Catholic
The next time the Gribble sisters get together, Erica, the youngest of the three, will probably be wearing her shiny gold medal.
Her PIAA championship gold medal.
“Oh yeah, I am definitely going to brag,” Erica Gribble said with a sly grin. “This is the goal I’ve had since freshman year. I have wanted to win a state title for so long. … I grew up watching my sisters play and they never won a state championship. Now I have a little bragging rights on them.”
Gribble got her PIAA title — and much more — in a senior season to remember at Greensburg Central Catholic.
Her achievements made her an uncontested layup for TribLive Westmoreland Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
Senior Torrie DeStefano of Penn-Trafford also was considered.
A 5-foot-11 point guard, Gribble capped a record-breaking, checklist type of year with a Class 3A state title in the glow of Giant Center in Hershey.
She averaged 21.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 steals, 2.9 assists and 1.5 blocks and made 97 3-pointers. She was a clean 45 of 54 from the foul line.
“It’s all so special to do this with all these girls, my best friends, Jayla (Peterson) and Abby (Dlugos) by my side. It’s wonderful,” Gribble said.
There haven’t been many like Gribble in county girls basketball.
Consider:
• Gribble became GCC’s all-time leading scorer, finishing with 2,380 points.
• She ranks third in Westmoreland County history in girls career scoring and is sixth among boys and girls combined.
• She made a third straight WPIAL final, finishing as the Class 3A runner-up after back-to-back 2A titles.
• She was a McDonald’s All-American nominee.
• The 80th-ranked player in the Class of 2026 by ESPN, the four-star prospect is committed to Richmond.
• Her 296 career 3-pointers a Westmoreland County record.
“It’s always a great feeling to accomplish your goals,” Gribble said.
Skatell knew Gribble would be one of the best to play at GCC. He said it was a privilege to coach her.
“I met her when she was 6 years old,” Skatell said. “She played AAU with my daughter, Bella. I had a coach tell me, ‘You better win four WPIAL titles with her.’ He wasn’t being sarcastic.’”
Skatell had Gribble take fewer shots in some playoff games, instead having her defend like crazy and pass and cut in the offense.
Still, she drew multiple defenders and pulled attention away from teammates who sprung open.
“It’s about willingness to sacrifice for her,” Skatell said. “She gets so much attention from other teams; you want to move the ball.
“She grew up. We grew up as a team. Everybody on the team got better. It’s all about the team.”
First team
Aubrey Brown
So., F, Belle Vernon
The 6-foot-2 Division I prospect averaged 10.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 steals for Leopards (23-5), who won their first section since 1999, made the WPIAL quarterfinals and added a first PIAA playoff win since ’98.
Ava Christopher
Sr., G, Norwin
Senior leader helped Norwin reach the WPIAL Class 6A championship game, averaging 11.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. … Returned from injury to spark team in postseason.
Torrie DeStefano
Sr., G, Penn-Trafford
One of area’s top all-around players averaged 14 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 4.3 steals as Penn-Trafford reached the WPIAL Class 5A semifinals. … Penn-Trafford’s career steals leader with 290.
Reagan Fisher
Jr., G, Hempfield
The top scorer for a WPIAL Class 6A playoff team, Fisher averaged 10.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.9 steals per game.
Mya Heasley
Sr., G, Greensburg Salem
Senior leader for Golden Lions paced team with 11.7-point average and also averaged 2.5 steals and made 38 3-pointers, 112 3s for her career. … Will play at Westmoreland County Community College.
Madison Johnson
Sr., G, Monessen
Four-year starter led Greyhounds with 14.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 2.1 steals per game. … Finished with 1,136 career points, 14th in program history.
Maggie Maiers
Jr., F, Latrobe
One of area’s top post players, she averaged 17.6 points and 12.2 rebounds per game. … Produced a double-double in 16 games this season.
Jayla Peterson
Sr., G, Greensburg Central Catholic
Floor leader and shooting threat helped lead GCC to PIAA Class 3A championship, averaging 13.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists and making 115 3-pointers. … The Division II Wheeling commit scored 1,148 career points.
Navarah Smith
Sr., G, Jeannette
Had career season for the Jayhawks, who returned to the WPIAL playoffs, averaging 20.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.0 steals per game. … Had 807 career points in about three seasons.
Second team
Alyssa Bridges, So., F, Franklin Regional
Ryleigh Drzal, Jr., G, Mt. Pleasant
Izzie Fontana, Jr., G, Penn-Trafford
Raya Johnson, Sr., G, Penn-Trafford
Avery Jones, Jr., F, Greensburg Central Catholic
Chloe Pucka, Jr., G, Franklin Regional
Lyla McConnell, So., G, Belle Vernon
Adleigh Myers, Ligonier Valley
Ava Shipman, Sr., G, Hempfield
Liz Yarosik, Jr., F, Norwin