When Western's girls basketball team won its regional championship Friday, the Doves earned their 14th trip to the state tournament -- a new state record.

The Doves had shared the top spot at 13 with Southern-AA and Paint Branch, but neither of those teams were able to get out of their regions this time.

That accomplishment by the Western program is even more remarkable considering that the Doves have made all 14 appearances since 1993, the first year the Baltimore City schools played for state titles. Southern and Paint Branch qualified for states for the first time in 1979 -- a 15-year head start.

Now, the Doves will get to work trying to catch up to those two in number of state championships. Southern has five and Paint Branch, four. The state record is seven held by Mount Hebron and DuVal.

The Doves will be going for state title No. 3 and their first since 1995 when they meet Centennial in the semifinals Thursday at 9 p.m. at UMBC's RAC Arena.