This week’s Throwback Thursday spotlight shines on Aaron Epps, one of the top basketball players to come through Butler High School during the late 1990s.
Epps earned recognition as a member of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fab 5 team in 1998, placing him among the elite high school basketball players in Western Pennsylvania that season. He was selected alongside some of the area’s top talent and helped put Butler basketball on the map during a highly competitive era of WPIAL hoops.
As the game continues to evolve, it’s important to remember the players who paved the way and represented their schools and communities at a high level. Aaron Epps remains one of Butler’s most respected basketball names from that era.
I caught up with Aaron to reflect on his high school career, the state of basketball today, his coaching career, and some of the memories that still stick with him decades later.
What does it mean to you all these years later to be recognized as a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fab 5 selection?
The Fab 5 means a lot to me because it validates the type of player I was. Fab 5 has a ton of history, so to be a part of that fraternity means a lot. What means more to me about being a member of the Fab 5 team is that, to this day, I have the lowest scoring average of anybody that ever made the Fab 5. Back then, Fab 5 was voted on by coaches and writers. Having the lowest scoring average ever and making the Fab 5 shows how well-rounded my game was and how much my opponents respected my game.
When you look back on your time at Butler, what are your favorite basketball memories?
My favorite memories at Butler were definitely our PIAA state tournament run during the 1996-1997 season. We beat New Castle, the WPIAL champs, at Westminster, which was the biggest crowd to ever watch a state playoff game for like 20 years. Then we went on to upset a loaded Uniontown team in the quarterfinals. We went on to lose to Franklin Regional in the western semifinal in double overtime, one of the best WPIAL games ever. That season was definitely magical.
Who were some of the toughest players or teams you faced during your high school career?
The toughest players I ever faced in high school are easy for me: David Young, Jake Schifino, this kid named Elu from Franklin, and Fu from Ozanam. Those three come to mind quick.
What made Butler basketball special during your era?
My teammates are what make Butler special to me. All the lifelong friendships I built from playing basketball. To be honest, me and Butler kind of have a love-hate relationship at this point, lol. But I love my teammates and loved how the community came out to support us.
Did you realize at the time how competitive Western Pennsylvania basketball was in the late 90s?
Yes, I did realize it. I grew up playing at the playgrounds in the projects in Uniontown. At Butler, we played outside all day long. All day. But when I really realized how good the competition was, was when I played in the Ozanam League growing up. There was nothing but ballers in that league. I played with a guy named “Mousey” from the Hill. He scored 35 points in Timbaland boots up at Penn State. I said, “Yeah, some of these dudes are just built different.”
What was the biggest lesson basketball taught you that still helps you today?
That confidence, work ethic, and the ability to work with others to achieve a common goal still resonate in your everyday life off the court.
If you could go back and tell your high school self one thing, what would it be?
I wish I would’ve hit that game-winner in regulation in the western final vs. Franklin Regional to take us to Hershey. I still think about that shot 29 years later.
How has the game changed the most since you played?
The big change I see is the obsession with social media. These kids do nothing but sit around and watch highlights on Instagram all day and think they can replicate what these NBA players can do. You’re not Steph Curry; stop shooting all these threes. You’re not Kyrie Irving; stop dribbling 20 times in the same spot. The love affair with the three-point line drives me crazy.
Do you think social media has helped or hurt young athletes today?
Social media has both helped and hurt athletes today. The answer is both for me. I’ve seen where a kid’s social media prowess has literally gotten kids scholarships and recognition. However, a lot of kids get false gratification from social media. They think that their highlights will get them a scholarship, and a lot of times it doesn’t. Social media has given kids a sense of entitlement. They want success without actually earning it. Before social media, you didn’t have to tell people how good you were. You showed it and got rewarded with a scholarship for all the work you put in. Some, not all, but some kids today don’t work at their game at all, but you would think they were a superstar if you watched their Instagram handle.
Who were some coaches, teammates, or mentors that had a major impact on your life?
Both my parents played ball, so they have been my biggest influence in basketball. Then I’d say Jeff Cheatham and Bobby Bird, my Ozanam coaches, were a big influence in my basketball career. Coach Abraham, my high school coach, was a big influence. Lastly, I’d say my cousin Greg Beckwith, my cousin Tweet, and my Uncle Marvin were big influences. They made me tougher and had me playing against older guys to make me better.
What advice would you give current Butler basketball players chasing their dreams?
Don’t ever let someone tell you what you can or can’t do. Don’t let anyone tell you who you can be. Put in the work, and everything will work itself out.
What are you most proud of when you look back at your basketball journey?
I’m most proud of the fact that I was an underdog and proved people wrong. I had to earn my respect, and I did that. I fought through a lot of adversity and came out on top. I’m also proud of the fact that coaching basketball for a long time has helped me help young kids get into college. That is and always will be very important to me.
Taking Hempfield girls to the WPIAL Championship game in 2014 was a major accomplishment. What do you remember most about that season?
I remember that season we were preseason ranked third. We played the hardest non-conference schedule you could imagine. We were up and down all year. My starting backcourt was a freshman and a sophomore. We went into the playoffs as a 12 seed. We beat the 5 seed, St. Clair, the defending champs Bethel Park as a 4 seed, and North Allegheny, who was the No. 2-ranked team in the state, by 20. We played Penn-Trafford in the championship and had a 14-point lead with two minutes left in the fourth quarter, then fell apart. I was so proud of the kids for the mental toughness they showed all season. That was a very special group of kids and parents.
How did reaching the WPIAL Finals impact your coaching career?
Going to the championship definitely propelled me as a coach. Going to the ship in my third year ever being a head coach opened some eyes for sure.
In 2019, you helped lead Springdale to its first section title in 33 years. What did that achievement mean to you and the community?
Springdale is a very tight-knit community that loves its sports. Winning the first section title in 33 years was huge for that town. The gymnasium was packed every night. I’m so proud of that team. Another place where we had great kids and great parents.
Looking back, which accomplishment means more to you: reaching the WPIAL Finals with Hempfield or winning the section title with Springdale?
Wow, that’s a tough question. I’m gonna go with getting to the WPIAL Finals at Hempfield. It’s so hard to win one playoff game, let alone three. The road we took to get there made it even more special. Springdale winning a section title was big also, but I’m going to go with the Hempfield run.
What coaching philosophies helped you find success at both programs?
If your teams play hard, play unselfish, and hold each other accountable, you will always have a chance to win. Always.