Photo taken by Sara Junkermeier (Seated from L to R) Front Row: Addison Toothaker, Olive Kawecki, Lauren Zarling, Lillian Ortega Middle Row: Madi Thompson, Olivia Garbers, Makayla Lowry, Makenzie Lowry, Audrina Suckow, Katherine Zelaya Back Row: Harlee Fastnacht, Gwyneth Schultz, Alyssa Lowry, Emelia Klanderud, Bria Williamson, Brylee Miller, Kaylee Kloeckner

FAIRMONT – The culture in Fairmont High School’s girls basketball program is apparent to anyone lucky enough to sit in on a practice.

While head coach Sara Junkermeier and her staff instruct the group through various drills, the energy of each individual is palpable, regardless of the exercise thrown their way.

This off-the-court unity has directly paved the way for success during Junkermeier’s eight-year tenure at the Cardinals. Fairmont has posted a winning record in its last six years under Junkermeier, going 104-52 over that stretch, including two 20-win seasons.

Now, in 2025, the Fairmont girls are looking for yet another consistent season, aiming to be again one of the teams to beat in the Section 3AA, South Subsection.

“It’s also just building that culture of how we want this program to look,” Junkermeier said. “As you can see and hear in the gym right now, they have a lot of fun being together and encouraging each other.”

Last year was another strong campaign for Junkermeier and her team. The Cardinals finished the 2024-2025 season with a 21-8 record, eventually falling to Minnewaska Area, 53-38, in the Section 3AA Championship.

However, Fairmont will be without three key pieces from last year’s team. Starting guard Kennedy Becker and forward Ellie Ortega proved to be two experienced pieces of Junkermeier’s team, with Ortega earning 2024-2025 All-Sentinel Honors after averaging 9.7 points and 6 rebounds per game during her final year with the program. Norah Traetow, who picked up heavy minutes off the bench, provided strong stability as a senior.

Luckily for Junkermeier, she is returning a handful of girls with significant varsity experience, including Minnesota State University basketball commit Brylee Miller. The All-Sentinel selection dazzled fans last season after averaging 22 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals per game.

Joining Miller from last year’s starting rotation are guard Makayla Lowry and forward Gwyneth Schultz, two individuals who will be relied on more this upcoming season.

“We have a lot of guards; we are very guard-heavy,” Junkermeier said. “We have a lot of kids who have shown they can play in that position, and now it’s just finding the right fit in what we can do as we go on.”

This guard play style aligns with Junkermeier’s approach, which she has consistently implemented on her rosters during her time with the Cardinals, emphasizing an up-tempo style and capitalizing on transition opportunities to create easy baskets.

The fast-paced play style begins on defense. Using intense man-to-man pressure on every ball handler to generate deflections and steals while making every offensive possession difficult for any opponent the Cardinals face.

“We transition really well into our offense,” Junkermeier said. “We love to run and get the ball up and down the floor as quickly as we can. Using defensive pressure and intensity to make people as uncomfortable as possible every time they have the ball in their hands. Doing those things where they are second-guessing themselves.”

Fairmont’s half-court offense will be focused heavily on an inside-out philosophy. This means deploying a group of guards around Miller and Schultz in the interior to find the best possible shot.

“We value our inside players, the moves that they have and the way they can finish at the rim,” Junkermeier said. “But we also know our best shots come from an inside-out pass when we are shooter-ready. We take a lot of pride in taking the ball in and finishing, but if we know we can’t be able to kick it out and knock down a shot.”