The 2025-26 Lady Jackets will likely just want to forget the regional semi-final 49-42 loss to the Rains Ladycats. 

On the heel of one of the best games the Lady Jackets had played this year – the area round championship last week – the team just never played in sync against Rains. 

There were so many areas of their game which did not meet their normal high standard: six missed lay-ups, early foul trouble due to reaching, six missed free throws, court awareness issues, and communication failures. It was ugly.

Nonetheless, the Lady Jackets fought their way back twice, taking the lead near the close of the first quarter, and in the final period, tying the score at 40 with 6:59 to play. 

That early comeback was fueled by three-pointers from Sophia Hogue and Mahayla McMahon, and some inside work by Kali Chrietzberg. The late rally was the result of solid offensive rebounding by Canyon Redding, two scores from Kaitlyn McMahon, and a basket off an inbound play which Mahayla McMahon finished. 

In the final four minutes, however, the wheels came off. Trailing by one point, Mineola committed four turnovers in the end game – two of which were inbound passes which Rains stole in the Mineola front court. 

The Lady Jackets managed just five points in the final period, while giving up eleven. Some losses can seem crushing, and this one certainly qualifies. Despite the Lady Jackets’ subpar performance, had they been able to correct any one of the aforementioned issues, the team would likely be on their way to Prosper.

However, one off night does not diminish a hugely successful season for the Lady Jackets.