ABOVE: Fairmont's Bria Williamson drives to the inside in a girls basketball game against Waseca earlier in the season in Fairmont.  Sentinel file photo.

FAIRMONT — With the Section 3AA title game on the horizon this Thursday, the Fairmont Cardinals girls basketball team is preparing for Minnewaska.

The game is the first time the Cardinals have made it this far since the 2021-2022 section title game against Montevideo, in which Fairmont fell 43-32.

The Cardinals are no strangers to postseason success, having made it out of the first round in the last four seasons.

The Cardinals will have to play strong defensively to shut down Minnewaska. Thus far defense has not been a problem for the Cardinals as they have proven just how disruptive they can be to an opponent’s offense, generating turnovers and consistently scoring on the fast break.

“They are very good defensively. Very active, very much in the passing lanes,” said Fairmont head coach Sara Junkermeier. “They’re great rebounders. That is their strong suit, we are also very strong defensively, so it should be a good battle that way.”

In what was expected to be a bit of a rebuilding season for the Cardinals, their fresh roster has battled hard all season long to get a shot at the section title and state tournament berth.

“We don’t have a lot of experience in this,” said Junkermeier. “But this was also the year that everybody thought we would be rebuilding. This was a rebuilding year for us. So the fact that we are playing in this game just shows you how hard these girls have worked all season to be able to earn this right.”

The Cardinals, having not been to the title game since 2022, are extremely excited for the opportunity and Junkermeier is doubtful that a lack of experience on a big stage will be a factor in the outcome of the game.

“We have sisters that have played in this game,” said Junkermeier. “But not kids per se that have played, not actual athletes on the team that have played in this game. You know, Brylee was on the roster then but wasn’t playing regularly. So this is a new experience, but it’s the court we played on last week. We have the same feel for that.”

Though most teams have figured out that stopping Brylee Miller is going to play a major part in dealing with the Cardinals, Junkermeier is very confident in every player that will take the court for Fairmont.

“I believe that we have five girls on the court that can score at any time,” said Junkermeier. “And we’re going to have to rely on everybody to do their part, whether that’s in the paint or whether it’s outside with open looks to be able to knock down some big shots.”

On paper the game should be an even matchup, with Minnewaska coming to the finals with an overall record of 26-3, and 11-1 in conference and section play. This is compared to Fairmont’s record of 21-7 overall, 10-2 in the section, and 13-6 in conference play. The tale of the tape is that it will be a defensive battle that is going to require Fairmont to capitalize on every possession possible to lock in the win.

Fairmont will head to Marshall for the section finals on Thursday, with a 5 p.m. tip-off time scheduled.