File Photo by Jake Olson: Fairmont's Bria Williamson looks to drive to the basket during a Jan 3 contest against Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City. The Cardinals finished the regular season with a 25-2 record, hoping to bounce back after their Big South Conference Championship loss to Marshall.

FAIRMONT – 48 days. 1,152 hours.

That’s how long the Fairmont girls’ basketball winning streak stretched this season. From late December to the middle of February, nothing seemed to faze head coach Sara Junkermier and her Cardinal team, who rattled off 17 straight victories while climbing the ranks of the Class 2A rankings.

That all ended this past Tuesday. Marshall and Fairmont met inside the Cardinal gymnasium as representatives of the best two teams in the Big South Conference. The Tigers played efficient basketball on both sides of the court, outpacing Fairmont 77-50 to win the conference championship.

Now, none of that matters. The team has to start from scratch as it enters the 2026 Section 3AA Girls Basketball tournament, aiming to string together another impressive winning streak and push for a deep postseason run.

“I think it was a good test for us that we needed,” Junkermeier said. “Now, it gives us the opportunity to refocus as we go into the first round of the playoffs, knowing that everyone’s record is the same and it doesn’t matter what your wins and losses were prior to this.”

Fairmont enters the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the south subsection with a roster built to win. Armed with a mix of senior leaders and standout underclassmen, the Cardinals will lean on their ability to defend for long stretches while playing an up-tempo style of basketball that Junkermeier is known for.

“Now we have to be focused and take things one game at a time. That’s what I think we will be able to do,” Junkermeier said.

Defense always travels

It’s no secret what Fairmont’s identity has been up to this point in the season. The Cardinals’ defense has been one of the catalysts behind their 25-2 record, traveling well from gym to gym and consistently frustrating opponents.

Junkermeier’s defensive unit has held teams to an average of 42 points per game this season, allowing more than 55 points just seven times. She says this is because her players’ ability to execute the coaching staff’s game plan at a high clip.

“It’s really been them,” Junkermeier said. “They are the ones who want to play that hard. We highly encourage it, but they are the ones who go out there every single night and really go after somebody. It’s fun to watch because they take a lot of pride in getting those stops.”

Part of the group’s success has been its versatility. Fairmont’s defense has the ability to switch between different schemes and pressures seamlessly in the midst of a contest.

Whether a 2-3 zone or a man-to-man concept, the player fundamentals have stayed the same. Each rotation piece has helped execute this side of the court at a high rate of success, having a knack for where to be and how to make any offense have a night to forget.

“We talk every night about how you have to trust each other. Trusting your teammates are doing what’s best for the team in every situation,” Junkermeier said. “That’s what gives us the intensity and consistency to play defense like we do.”

Halfcourt execution

This year’s Cardinal offense has always been a force to be reckoned with due to the style of play Junkermier prefers to operate with. The stout defensive play has aided an up-and-down, high-tempo scoring attack that thrives on loose balls and deflections.

But what’s been more impressive is Fairmont’s ability to execute in the halfcourt. Over the past couple of weeks, in addition to generating points off turnovers, the Cardinals have shown their ability to put points on the board against settled opposing defenses.

Fairmont has averaged nearly 70 points per game over the past six contests. This includes standout performances against Jackson County Central and Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial, where the Cardinals put up 79 and 68 points, respectively.

But it hasn’t just come from opponent mishaps and errors. It all starts with ball movement and high-IQ passing.

“I think we have just been very unselfish,” Junkermeier said. “When I look at the number of assists we have had over the past few games, it’s been in the high teens. That’s something that just shows we don’t care who scores the ball, we just want to get the ball to the open player.”

The road ahead

The Cardinals begin the first round of the south subsection this Friday against No. 8 Montevideo. Tip-off is set to start at 7 p.m.

Other notable seeds to mention are No. 2 Pipestone Area and No. 3 Saint James Area. Fairmont went 4-0 against these two opponents this season. If the Cardinals advance, familiarity won’t be the challenge. Execution will be.