Gribble and Larkin elite scorers on the court

By John Sacco
Contributing Sportswriter

GREENSBURG – As the cornerstones of their respective high school basketball teams, Emma Larkin and Erica Gribble understand the responsibility they have beyond putting the ball in the basket.

Larkin of Geibel Catholic Junior Senior High School and Gribble of Greensburg Central Catholic Junior Senior High School are central to their team’s success.

In some cases, that could be problematic. But not with these two.

Gribble, who is headed to Richmond, has the Centurions thinking “threepeat”
and Larkin, who will attend Belmont Abbey University in Belmont, N.C., has the Gators thinking big.

And while they are much more than just scorers, the attention they receive often focuses on points – lots of them.

Earlier this season, Larkin scored 27 points to key a 67-32 win over Carrick to break Fayette County’s all-time scoring record.

Larkin, a senior, broke the previous record of 2,440 held by Albert Gallatin’s Loui Hall (now Ellen Guillard) with 2,440 career points.

Also, this season, Larkin broke the Geibel scoring record of 1,977 points held for more than 30 years by Shelley Bortz, currently a KDKA TV reporter.

“I couldn’t be happier for her,’ Bortz said. “Records are meant to be broken. Emma’s success comes from work ethic and confidence. She plays through contact, wants the ball in big moments and produces even when (opposing) teams focus on her. That consistency is special.”

Stellar play has been a hallmark of Gribble’s career at Greensburg Central Catholic where she has led the Centurions to consecutive WPIAL championships.

In January, she became the 45^th girl’s player in WPIAL history to score more than 2,000 career points. She is also the GCC all-time leading scorer (boys and girls).

Gribble said her basketball journey began early on as a two- or three-year old when she rode with her mother who took her sisters to practice at Norwin High School.

“I was super young,” she explained. “I probably had a ball in my hand as I was always in the gym with them. I was super involved in their practices, always running around with a ball.”

Gribble helped the Centurions to a 67-21first-round WPIAL playoff win over Mohawk.

Larkin’s Journey

Don’t mistake game focus and toughness for meanness. Larkin is not just playing basketball, she’s intent on winning basketball.

“She’s always been an amazing defender for us,” said Sara Larkin, Geibel’s coach and Emma’s mom. “Even when she was a freshman. She’s increased her steals every season. But the biggest difference, I think, between freshman year and senior is her ability to manage the game for us, running the offense. She’s almost averaging 10 assists per game.  She has teammates around her who can put the ball in the hoop. She’s been able to grow into that true point guard position and not just have to score all the points for us.”

 Larkin’s love of basketball led her to Belmont Abbey. Her choice wasn’t just focused where she would play basketball but if she picked the sport over track, a sport she had been extended Division I scholarships.

She won PIAA medals last year in the 400 and 300 intermediate hurdles.

“Oh, it was really a tough choice,” Emma Larkin said. “People might say that I’m better at track and I agree with them. I definitely do agree with them. It was definitely a battle because I am better at track and I had bigger opportunities with track. I wouldn’t say better but bigger opportunities. Ultimately, it just came down to what I love and what I wanted to do and what would make me the happiest and that’s basketball.

“Plus, I love the warm weather, so that definitely was a factor. I’m a half hour from Charlotte and that was big for me. About 80 percent of the students there are athletes. So. I’m surrounded by a lot of people who are like me and it just seems like a great perfect fit.”

She considered Colgate and Holy Cross as well.

Bortz said it’s also mindset and tenacity that makes Larkin a little different.

 “Great players raise the standard,” Bortz added. “Her competitiveness sets the tone. Younger players see the work it takes. Teammates grow into roles and belief returns to the gym. She’s helped restore confidence in the program.

“Every era is different. We achieved a great deal during my time, and I’m so proud of that. My dad won consecutive WPIAL championships coaching there and being inducted into the Fayette County Hall of Fame alongside him means everything to me. Geibel is home. Seeing the program strong again means a lot to our family. I love that she chose her passion — basketball. When you follow what you love, the work never feels like work. I’m grateful for what we had — and excited she’s writing her own chapter.”

 Gribble’s Web of Greatness

Having decided on her collegiate destination  allowed Gribble to focus completely on improving her game.

That not only enhanced the chances of greater success for the Centurions but it also helped her “up” her game in just about every significant way.

She also considered attending St. Joseph’s, Bowling Green, Villanova and Lehigh.

“I think, committing when I did helped, especially going into the AAU season,” Gribble said. “I kind of wanted to play freely. The recruiting process can be very stressful at times.

“It was kind of nice. I really loved Richmond. I fell in love with the program and I knew that’s the place I wanted to go. I saw no reason to wait. It was nice to kind of have my senior year and just chill. I had nothing to worry about with all that.”

 Gribble added that her decision also freed the team as a whole to focus on the season at hand and totally focus on a third straight WPIAL title.

Now, I’m excited and glad to have this opportunity. I can’t wait to go at it again for another WPIAL championship and, then hopefully, in the state championships as well.”

Perhaps the best part of making the decision early is that she practiced more, honed her skills and is in better position to compete at a high level at Richmond.

“Last year was a big year for me and I have kind of been focusing on preparing for Richmond,” she said. “Just getting stronger physically and mentally has been a benefit. Also, just working on my game every day has helped me a lot. I think my point guard skills are better and different shots I can take on the floor has expanded. I think I’ve done a good job scoring at all three levels and my defense has improved.”

Gribble does find enjoyment off the court

 “Outside of basketball, I love to hang out with family and friends and doing different activities with them. Our family does a lot of puzzles, which is fun and then also always being outside in the summer. We’re always going on different hiking trips and doing different things.”