SLIPPERY ROCK — The letter E is a big part of the McDermott clan.

Three sisters, all with names that begin with the letter.

Elena.

Emma.

Ella.

The E could also describe the traits the trio share on the basketball court.

Energy.

Enthusiasm.

Eclectic.

And Three. Don't forget ThrEE — as in 3-pointers.

“We're different in our own quirky ways,” Emma said. “We all have that McDermott three, though.”

For Emma, a senior guard/forward for the Slippery Rock High girls basketball team, her experience has been a unique one.

As the middle child, she's had the special opportunity to play with both of her sisters — Elena for two years at the beginning of her career — and now Ella, a freshman, this season.

“I think it's really exciting, honestly, to see two different perspectives,” Emma said. “I came in just like Ella as a freshman, terrified of everything that was going on and just getting thrown into a varsity game to see how I would do.”

The McDermott sisters also shared a similar basketball formative experience.

When Elena, Emma and Ella were little, they would take to the makeshift basketball court on the driveway of their Slippery Rock home and take on their father, Ron.

Three-on-one.

Seemed fair.

“He'd be fouling us and pushing us around,” Emma said. “He'd be like, 'You gotta get tough!' So we definitely have memories of that.”

It was a valuable learning experience for the McDermott trio, who have left their mark on the Slippery Rock High girls basketball program.

Elena made her mark with her hustle and guts. During her senior year, she averaged 4.9 points per game, but hit 30 3-pointers.

Elena just finished up her sophomore season at Waynesburg University, where she averaged 4.7 points per game.

“Elena definitely gave me my drive and competitiveness, I think” Emma said. “Elena, every time she gets in the game, she's like work, work, work like crazy. Every time she gets in, she gives 100 percent. She's my inspiration for always giving your all no matter what.

“She wasn't always scoring 20 points,” Emma added, “but she was working her butt off on defense and getting back and did all the little stuff. That pushed me to get better at all those things and not just the offensive stuff.”

Emma, who will play at Mercyhurst University next season, is averaging 13.1 points per game for the Rockets as they head into a clash with WPIAL champion and undefeated Chartiers Valley in the second round of the PIAA 5A playoffs Wednesday at Moon.

She's also hit 53 3-pointers.

Ella has seen her role expand as the season has progressed. She was inserted into the starting lineup during the District 10 playoffs.

“Emma's a really big role model and so is Elena,” Ella said. “I am really lucky and blessed to have two sisters to look up to.”

Ella's breakthrough game came in the district semifinals against Hickory.

She hit two big 3-pointers in the first quarter to get the Rockets rolling and added two more for a career-high 12 points.

“It's fun getting to play with my older sister and being on that side of it and now mentoring (Ella) and being out on the court with her,” Emma said. “I'm really impressed with her. I keep telling people how proud I am of her. She has been put in definitely a high-pressure situation and she's been kicking butt out there.”

The goal is for Ella to move into Emma's role next season.

It's something Ella said she's going to have to work hard for in the offseason.

“I know I need to work on my defense and my coach has always pushed me the hardest,” Ella said. “I'm really blessed for that, too.”

Ella said she couldn't have done anything without her two older sisters.

“Emma's arms always swatting away my shots made me stronger going up,” Ella said, laughing. “Elena is just such a good defender and gets all the hustle plays. I need to play more like her, too. I'm trying to get my shot better because Emma's such a good shooter. I guess it's just been super fun.”