Not one, not two, but three.
It doesn’t happen too often that three siblings play for the same girls basketball team.
It is even more rare for all three sisters to be in a game at the same time.
The Bernotas sisters — Laci, Lynsey and Alia — are basketball teammates at Baldwin. Laci has been a varsity player for four seasons, Lynsey for three and Alia is in her first year of varsity competition.
“The Bernotas family has four girls total that have gone through the program,” Baldwin coach Jamal Woodson said, “and all four are very talented. All of them are dedicated to basketball and the team and are fierce competitors.”
Laci is a 5-foot-6 senior, Lynsey a 5-7 junior and all-section selection a year ago, while Alia is a 5-5 freshman. All three are backcourt players.
“Laci has been our biggest surprise this year,” Woodson said. “She has gotten so much better and contributes to our team, not only as a 3-point threat but she does the little things that don’t show on the stat line. She’s always in ‘help defense,’ always helping the helper.
“Laci does a great job of seeing what we do in film and making the adjustment.”
Laci Bernotas, 18, received the MVP award against at the Betsy Invitational tournament in late-December, hitting five 3-pointers and scoring a game-high 17 points against host Elizabeth Forward in the championship game won by Baldwin, 74-44.
“Not a lot of people get the opportunity to play varsity basketball alongside their sisters, so it’s something I don’t take for granted,” Laci said. “It’s been extremely special. Being able to share the court with them, support each other, and make memories together has meant a lot to me and our family.
“This is actually the first time all three of us have played together on the same team. I’ve played with Lynsey for most of my basketball career while growing up, but this season at the high school level is the first time I’ve been able to share the court with both of my sisters, which has made it really special.”
Lynsey Bernotas, 17, and senior point guard Julianne Ott are the Highlanders’ leading scorers. Both average around 15 ppg.
“Being able to play on the same team as my sisters has been incredibly special to me,” Lynsey said. “Not many people get the chance to share moments like this, and it’s something I truly don’t take for granted. Playing alongside them is a huge privilege, and it has made this season even more meaningful.
“Laci and I have always been teammates. I often played up on her team, so we’ve had a lot of experience playing together over the years. That familiarity has really helped us on the court and strengthened our connection as players.”
The Baldwin junior tossed in a career-high 36 points Dec. 20 in a 63-53 section win against Trinity.
“Lynsey is just simply a competitor,” Woodson said. “She plays with a lot of heart and most of all takes criticism very well.”
Most likely, there is a Bernotas hoopster on the court at all times during Baldwin games this season.
All three were in a game together for the first time Dec. 6 in a 51-45 overtime win at home against Upper St. Clair.
The Bernotas girls have grown up in a basketball family and have spent innumerable hours practicing their shooting on their hoop located near their driveway outside of their house.
“Yes, we do have a hoop, and it’s always been a huge part of our lives,” Laci said. “That hoop represents countless hours of shooting, competing and growing together as sisters.”
Lynsey believes constant practice helps develop a good shooting touch.
“During the summer, we’re out there almost every day shooting together and working out with my dad,” she said. “Those moments have helped us improve our skills and strengthen our love for the game.
“Playing on this team has been one of the best experiences of my life. I’ve grown so much as a player and have made lifelong friends along the way. I’m grateful to be coached by people who believe in me, push me to my limits, and help me become the best version of myself on and off the court.”
Alia added: “We do have a basketball hoop outside our house, and also in our pool in the backyard,” she said, “and it’s been a big part of how we’ve practiced and spent time together growing up — especially playing against our neighbors that were boys.”
Older sister Lexi also competed in basketball at Baldwin and is a 2020 graduate.
All four girls picked up much of their hoops knowledge and athletic prowess from their dad, Mark Bernotas, a 1,000-point career scorer at Seton LaSalle who went on to play in college at Cal (Pa.).
“I’ve been playing basketball since second grade, and the biggest influence on my career has been my dad,” Lynsey said. “He has always supported me and continues to help me improve by pushing me to work on my weaknesses. His guidance has played a huge role in shaping me as both a player and a person.”
A 1991 Seton alum, Bernotas the dad was a starter in his sophomore year in 1989 when the Rebels won a WPIAL championship.
“I’ve been playing basketball since third grade, and the biggest influence on my journey has been our dad,” Laci said. “He’s taught us not just the game, but our work ethic, toughness and how to truly love basketball.”
Laci and younger sister Alia, who is 14, are two of the many talented reserves on this year’s high-flying team at Baldwin.
“Alia brings lots of toughness to the team, much like her sister Lynsey,” Woodson said. “Alia is very aggressive and does a great job getting rebounds even though she’s one of the shortest players on the team.”
The Highlanders lost their season opener Dec. 3 to Shady Side Academy then didn’t lose again in the month of December, compiling a 9-1 record and a 3-0 mark in Section 4-5A.
“We set very high standards as a whole for each practice and each game,” Woodson said. “We watch one hour of film on ourselves every day and work on how to improve. The accountability that each player takes on our team is remarkable.
“We have two specific goals: Win our section, which has not been done (at Baldwin) since 1984, and win a WPIAL title, which also has not been done since 1984.”
Lynsey Bernotas, junior forward Kelsey Meyer, sophomore forward Hannah Prilla and senior guards Julianne Ott and Isabella Niles usually are the starters for the Highlanders.
“We have seven players that are strictly varsity,” Woodson said. “Each one brings something unique to the table that helps us all be successful together and that is something that is so important. There is not one person that we treat differently.”
Laci Bernotas is one of four seniors on the 2025-26 squad along with Ott, Niles and forward Jacey Klingensmith.
“Our team has had a really strong season so far,” Laci said. “We’ve grown a lot both individually and as a group, and I think our chemistry has improved with every game. We’ve faced some tough competition, but we’ve learned how to stay composed and work together, especially in close situations.
“Overall, I’m proud of how hard we compete and how much effort everyone brings every day.”
As expected, Lynsey also is prideful of the Highlanders’ effort in 2025-26.
“I’m really proud of how our team has performed so far,” she said. “Everyone shows up ready to work every day, and that effort is paying off. We’ve grown a lot as a team, built strong chemistry, and continue to get better together with each game and practice.
“My expectations for the second half of the season are very high. I truly believe in our team and know we’re capable of accomplishing great things if we continue to work hard and stay focused.”
The Baldwin hoopsters are aiming to establish a winning culture for future teams. Laci Bernotas and the three other seniors have been instrumental in that quest.
“I have a lot of belief in the future of Baldwin basketball,” Laci said. “Our goal is to bring a section championship back to Baldwin for the first time since 1984.
“We’re building a culture of hard work, togetherness and belief, and I truly think the foundation being laid right now can help make that history happen.”