Older brother Nate developed into one of the top men’s basketball recruits in the nation by the time he graduated high school, and was a top producer for Oregon this season until a wrist injury derailed his progress two months ago.

Older sister Kendra was an all-state volleyball player who helped elevate Crater High to new heights before joining Corban University.

So, yeah, it’s safe to say that current Crater junior Kyle Bittle is in a unique position with the Comets.

“I’m definitely trying to fill some big shoes,” said the 16-year-old guard/forward on the Crater boys basketball team. “I just think it’s my time to step up now and be the new Bittle of Crater.”

The spotlight has been nothing new, the youngest of the Bittle siblings was a freshman contributor two years ago but has shouldered more and more responsibilities ever since.

This season, the 6-foot-3, 175-pounder has led a diverse attack that has the Comets standing 12-3 overall and 2-1 in Midwestern League play entering next Thursday’s contest at Eagle Point (9-6, 1-2 MWL).

Bittle is averaging 16.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 1.7 assists and 1.2 blocks per game.

“I can’t put a value on how much impact he has, because he has a lot of impact all around, whether that’s on the basketball court or off the basketball court,” said Crater head coach Bryan Scott of Bittle. “He is the best all-around basketball player contributing for us, but he’s also a fun person to be around and very respectful and easy to coach. All the boys get along this year so I don’t have any drama this year, and that’s been one of the biggest contributing factors (to our success).”

With an impetus on returning to the Class 5A state playoffs, along with a renewed emphasis on defense, Bittle said he’s seen a change all around thus far for the Comets.

“Last year we had some ups and downs and missed the playoffs by one spot,” said Bittle, “but this year we’re doing good right now and we’re just trying to stay up there.”

“We’re definitely moving the ball more this year,” he added, “and our defense has gotten way better than last year.”

A factor in all of that, according to Scott, is how accountable the players have been to their own progress this season.

“This year has been more about what they wanted versus what I wanted as far as the program,” said Scott. “Obviously, every coach wants to win a state championship, but this year has always been about what they wanted and then them buying in from the very beginning.”

“It’s really nice for me and takes the pressure off of me pushing and pushing,” he added. “It’s been more about me holding them up to their expectations versus me setting expectations.”

Bittle, as much as any, understands expectations. He’s also had a terrific training ground in how to handle them after watching his brother and sister dominate for the Comets, with support from his parents Ryan and Susanne Bittle.

“I believe that Kyle will become one of the smartest basketball players, however far he goes,” said Scott. “Being part of that family and his dad being an amazing basketball player with basketball knowledge, I only see success for Kyle.”

“I think it’s the classic youngest sibling,” he added, “where you sit back and you watch everything and you kind of learn what to do and what not to do by being the baby of the family.”

Being able to learn from a distance growing up has been a tremendous advantage, according to Bittle.

“It helps you get smarter and know the right moves,” said Bittle, who carries a 3.6 GPA. “When you’re watching the game from the stands, you can see different things on the court and a different angle of the game. You definitely see a lot more watching and you learn a lot from just watching. Watching my brother has definitely helped me a lot.”

That said, it’s not like the two are vastly similar players.

Nate Bittle stands 7-foot tall and had at least a foot on all of his classmates from the time he started lacing up his basketball shoes. Kyle Bittle has grown more gradually, absorbing more time as a guard as he’s later shifted into being comfortable inside the paint.

“I think I’m pretty good at finishing at the rim like he was, so that’s a similarity,” he said. “When it comes to being different, I think I’m definitely a better ball handler.”

Both boys have taken great pride in each end of the court for Crater, with Scott commenting on how Kyle Bittle shows no easing off when he’s doing the dirty work on defense or in the glamorous times on offense.

“No. 1, he’s a dog,” Scott said of Bittle’s all-out effort. “He dives after every loose ball and he gets a ton of rebounds. He’s a great facilitator, too, in passing and he usually just makes the unselfish choice. It doesn’t matter who scores as long as we score, and he seems to always recognize that.”

With players like seniors Cody Dutkiewicz and Ashton Acrey and junior Ben Higginson by his side, Bittle said the Comets have become adept at taking whatever the other team allows and creating a good balance overall.

“Every night, you don’t know who it’s going to be that steps up,” said Bittle. “Any one of us can go off and have a 20-point game.”