Jayla Peterson offers scoring punch to talented Greensburg Central Catholic backcourt

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 | 3:06 PM

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Erica Gribble is used to getting compliments on her game.

The junior at Greensburg Central Catholic is one of the WPIAL’s top guards and a Richmond commit.

But this year, she is getting complements, as in, a helping hand from her teammate and friend — fellow junior Jayla Peterson.

No. 4-ranked GCC (8-3) is a WPIAL title contender in Class 3A after winning the 2A championship last year, but the Centurions are not a one-girl show.

“Erica and Jayla, it’s their team,” GCC coach Chris Skatell said. “Jayla has really shown what she can do for us.”

Gribble, who averages 21 points a game, is always the first option for GCC. But Peterson has developed into a formidable No. 2 preference who has stepped forth as a much-needed 15-point scorer.

The pair trade off between point guard and shooting guard. Both are adept 3-point shooters.

“When I get double-teamed, we know Jayla can score for us,” Gribble said. “She is a great point guard and shooter.”

Their synergy was evident last year. They did, after all, celebrate together last year at Pitt — Peterson soaked in the moment at Petersen Events Center.

This year they have turned it up a notch. With another key scorer gone in Mya Morgan (Cal, Pa.), the Centurions needed scoring from elsewhere.

When GCC beat Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, 40-30, in the Cal (Pa.) Hoopfest, Peterson led with 12 points and Gribble had 11.

Both girls scored 19 in a 61-55 overtime loss to 5A Peters Township.

In a 64-44 win over North Catholic, Gribble had 27 and Peterson 25.

When GCC played No. 1 Shady Side Academy, Peterson rose to the occasion when Gribble wasn’t scoring, keeping the Centurions in the game until the Bulldogs pulled away.

Peterson had 18 of GCC’s 33 points in a 62-33 setback.

A 66-21 bounce-back win against Deer Lakes followed, and Gribble went for 21 and Peterson 17.

“I am a scorer at heart,” Peterson said. “I had a different role last year, but I knew I might have to score more (this year). We need more scoring.”

Gribble and Peterson, longtime AAU teammates with the Western PA Bruins, bring chemistry and talent to the backcourt.

Shady Side Academy coach Jonna Burke said it’s a pick-your-poison situation when it comes to guarding GCC.

“It’s like a game of Whack-a-mole,” Burke said. “You knock one down, the other pops up.”

Shady Side was more relatable to a one-sided game of balloon darts in the teams’ first meeting; GCC was the balloons.

Peterson transferred from Indiana a couple of years ago and instantly showed she could provide big minutes.

“Me and Gribbs have been playing (AAU) since the seventh grade,” Peterson said. “We started playing together in fourth grade.”

GCC only has one senior in forward Erica Rodriguez, a multi-sport athlete who returned to basketball after a knee injury.

The rest of the roster consists of three juniors — forward Abby Dlugos is out for the season with a torn ACL, an injury she sustained four games into the season — five sophomores, and four freshmen.

“E-Rod has really helped us on the boards,” Skatell said. “(Sophomore) Avery Jones has played well, too.”

Said Gribble: “We have had some sophomores step up and contribute.”

That includes Nolan Althof and Morgan Skoloda and freshman Georgia Evans.

“They are seeing more time and getting better,” Gribble said.

Peterson said the Shady Side Academy loss is something from which the team can learn.

The teams will meet again Feb. 3 at GCC.

“We need to build from it,” she said. “We have to learn to be more defensive than that. We didn’t play like we can.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Greensburg C.C.