Butlers, Gribbles make basketball a family affair in Westmoreland County

For two of Westmoreland County’s most prominent basketball families, the game goes on.

Somehow, it goes on.

Even in a global pandemic, when hundreds of college programs are shut down and the fortunate programs that are playing are not allowing fans, it’s still hoop season for the Butlers and Gribbles.

It’s a bit different, yes, but this still is their favorite time of the year.

“I’m very fortunate,” said Holy Cross senior guard Austin Butler, a former Latrobe star. “Obviously, I feel for all the people who don’t get the opportunity to have a season this year. … Being able to play makes everything that’s going on around us a little more bearable.”

Not many families can say they have two members playing college basketball at the same time, especially during the coronavirus era. Seasons are shorter with many reduced to conference schedules and playoffs.

But the Butlers and Gribbles can.

Butler has become a staple in the Holy Cross program, a scorer and rebounder who has played through pain and overcome surgeries on his shoulder to lead the Crusaders.

Bryce Butler, meanwhile, is a sophomore guard at Division II West Liberty and another former Latrobe standout who is seeing increased time and production.

Norwin’s Gribbles also are playing simultaneously at northeastern schools.

Alayna Gribble is a grad student at Saint Joseph’s in Philadelphia. She left Pitt a couple years ago after concussions plagued her career but resurfaced in the Atlantic 10 as the Hawks’ leading scorer and 3-point threat.

Her sister, Olivia, recently moved into the starting lineup as a freshman at Marietta, a Division III program in Ohio.

“We are a big basketball family, and it’s really awesome to see us playing at the next level,” Alayna Gribble said. “We were always in the gym together working out. It’s nice to see that all our hard work is paying off.”

The Butlers have basketball in their blood. Their 6-foot-7 father, Eric, an assistant coach at Latrobe, played at Eastern Kentucky and Robert Morris.

“I was very fortunate to grow up in a basketball environment,” Austin Butler said. “It made wanting to get better so much easier when I was younger, with my dad always pushing me and knowing where basketball took him. Because of that, I always wanted to play Division I basketball because my dad did.”

Eric Butler said basketball is simply a way of life in the Butler household. And while he and his wife, Michelle, are not making long weekened road trips to see their boys play, they are appreciative that teams are playing and staying safe.

“My experiences playing and coaching have helped mold them and prepare them for each stage in their growth and process of becoming the best person, teammate, leader and basketball player that they can be,” Eric Butler said.

Austin and Bryce got to play a season together at Latrobe, but the Gribbles did not get that opportunity.

That doesn’t mean they are not close. Like the Butlers, the Gribble girls follow each other’s games through livestreams. They offer endless feedback to one another most nights and strive to improve.

Bryce Butler said being around the game, and in the gym, since he could walk was a bonus.

“Growing up in that environment, going to all the games and practices, just isn’t something every basketball player gets to experience, so I think I was pretty lucky,” he said. “Playing college ball at the same time as Austin is probably a bonus for me more than him because he’s in his fourth year so just some of the stuff we talk about helps me out.”

The families are similar, but basketball is the tie that binds. Their tale almost has the makings of some basketball-themed Brady Bunch offshoot.

Here’s the story …

There are four Butler boys, and the Gribbles have three girls, all of whom play basketball.

Austin Butler and Alayna Gribble are all-time leading scorers at their high schools.

The siblings trained together at home when the pandemic first began in the spring.

“Pretty much everyday,” Bryce Butler said. “We all went to the same speed and strength training at the same time and were able to shoot in our backyard or in our neighbor’s gym on most days. We also worked out with our old AAU coach, Joe Lewandowski, a few times a week.”

A 1,000-point scorer at Holy Cross, Austin Butler is a 6-foot-5 point guard who has become a tenacious rebounder and more consistent defender in the Patriot League. Through 10 games, he was averaging 13.3 points and a team-high 8.9 rebounds and leads the Crusaders with 16 3-pointers.

He had 24 points in the season opener and has three games of 13 or more rebounds.

Bryce Butler, a key reserve for the fast-paced Hilltoppers of the Mountain East, has an 11-point average to go with 6.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists.

He nearly has the same roster specs as his brother, at 6-5, 200 pounds, and also has played some point guard.

“Bryce doesn’t get enough credit for how smart he is on the court,” Austin Butler said. “His basketball IQ is elite. Seeing him grow over the years is awesome, and I’m proud of him and can’t wait to see where his career takes him. I would do anything to get a chance to play with him again.”

The Gribbles don’t have a rich basketball pedigree but Dan and Dena Gribble did something right raising their daughters, who have smarts on and off the court. The girls also are making their marks.

Alayna Gribble, slowed by an injury this season, was scoring 13.3 points and had 16 3s through five games. The 6-foot 3-point specialist is pursuing a master’s degree.

In six games, Olivia Gribble has made three starts and had made a team-best 17 3s. She had 19 points in her first start in the Marietta backcourt and Ohio Athletic Conference. That also is Alayna’s season high for points.

“My sisters and I were always in the gym together making each other better,” Olivia Gribble said. “And because we valued it so much, we all made it a priority to get better. I love watching Alayna play and learning from her.”

Can I get your autograph @OGribble ?? https://t.co/PMlpy1GujT

— Alayna Gribble (@Alaynagribble30) February 7, 2021

It looks like the family names will live on through basketball for a several years to come. Yes, there are more Butlers and Gribbles coming through the ranks.

Landon Butler is a sophomore guard this season at Latrobe. Max is an eighth-grader who plays on the freshman team.

Bryce Butler said Max might be the best shooter in the family.

And watch out for 13-year-old Erica Gribble. A student at Greensburg Central Catholic, she also has game.

“She might turn to be the best of all of us,” Olivia Gribble said.