Emory Rains’ Haley Robertson (1) works against Tatum’s Kaleigh Hooker (20) during Friday’s Class 3A Region II girls basketball semifinal at Prosper High School.

Rains’ girls basketball team arrived into San Antonio on Tuesday night.

Head coach Laura Jenkins said the Alamodome was lit up, and she told the girls that would be where the team would be playing this week.

“I’ve had a few girls whose parents had taken them to the state tournament before, but a lot hadn’t been there before,” Jenkins said. “Their eyes lit up.”

The LadyCats clinched the program’s first state tournament berth on Saturday with a 69-56 victory over perennial state power Winnsboro.

“I don’t know if they even realize there are only four teams left,” Jenkins said. “I don’t know if it’s all set in yet.”

No. 3 Rains (36-2) will face Shallowater (26-12) in the Class 3A semifinals at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Alamodome.

Shallowater has won nine straight games, including a 43-37 victory over No. 2 Tuscola Jim Ned in the regional finals. This is the Fillies’ eighth state tournament appearance and first since 2020 when they won the 3A championship.

“Everybody here is good and solid,” Jenkins said. “They’ve beaten some good people, as well. They took out a good Jim Ned team to get here. They’ve got threats all over, good size and guards that can go. It’s going to be fun when the regions come over and see the different styles of basketball meet and see which one ultimately wins.

“I’ve told the girls to keep playing good defense and do what they do. Do LadyCat basketball.”

Rains’ fast-paced defense has held opponents to 39 points or fewer in 29 games. The LadyCats hold opponents to 33.1 points per game.

“All season long, since game one, I’ve told the girls that defense is what’s going to win for us,” Jenkins said. “Offense can go through highs and lows, and you can’t hit anything. Defense is the heart and soul of what we do.”

Defense and a strong bond are two key ingredients that have helped the LadyCats make school history.

“This is my 16th year as a coach, and this is probably the first team I’ve had where one through 13, they all get along,” Jenkins said. “They love each other. It’s a sisterhood.”

Players for the LadyCats are freshman forward Arianna Philson, senior guard Haley Robertson, sophomore forward Caroline Piles, junior guard Madison Moczygemba, freshman guard Jaycee Phillips, junior guard Jazzy Phillips, sophomore guard Kenzy Thompson, senior guard Jasey Campbell, sophomore forward Presley Kilgore, sophomore guard Shaylee Stracener, sophomore guard Taytum Osornio, freshman center Annie Piechota and sophomore guard Kamara Ragsdale. The head coach is Laura Jenkins, and assistant coaches are Colton Smith and Maci Sims. The support staff includes managers Lilly Busby, Andrea Demar, Lilly Moczygemba, Victoria Forbes, Kylee Jenkins and Karter Jenkins; athletic trainer Chase Stoltenberg; and statisticians Kyle Jenkins, Paige Smith, Haily Jenkins, Lauren Wood and CJ Cannon.

The winner of Thursday’s semifinal will face either No. 22 Huntington (35-6) or Columbus (26-10) in the Class 3A final at 10 a.m. Saturday.