The Weedsport girls basketball team is finding it difficult to prepare for a game against a team they have not seen.

It could be a close call for the No. 2 seeded Warriors (15-5) in the Section III, Class C-2 finals tonight against top-seeded Beaver River (15-4). The Warriors head coach, Chris Vargason, only has what he can see on paper to prepare his girls for the biggest game of the season.

“They seem very similar to us as a team,” Vargason said. “Our players match up almost evenly on stats, they average 38 rebounds per game and we average 36. From what I can tell without actually seeing them play, it is anybody's game down to the wire.”

The Warriors played the sectional semifinals game against Waterville under similar unfamiliar conditions and despite all their practices, they found themselves having to spend the first quarter of the game learning about the opponent's strategy.

“I'm a visual guy. If I see a team, I can prepare them better.” Vargason said. “Going in blind, it takes a whole quarter to figure them out and hopefully it's not too late, it's nerve-racking. Luckily we figured out Waterville in time and were able to turn it around in our favor.”

The Warriors have not earned a sectional title in 29 years. Vargason did some research on that 1979 team and it's quest for a title and came up with some interesting similarities.

Both the 1979 team and this year's team did not win the league title, both teams were second seeds in the tournament, and both teams played Waterville successfully in the sectionals. Now all the Warriors need is to add another banner to the wall.

“It would mean so much to the school and the community, but it won't be easy - everyone wants it,” Vargason said. “I really want it for the girls, too.”

Vargason concentrates on the strategies and inner workings of the game itself when he talks to the girls.

“It's not about winning or losing, it's just about playing ball,” Vargason said. “I am running practices the same as we have all year long. I do not want the girls to feel pressured, it's just another ball game.”

The Warriors will concentrate on their defensive play and keeping strong at the board with their rebounds. The Beavers average four three-pointers a game and the Warriors will have to keep their defensive game strong to keep that kind of scoring down.

Allison Beardsley handles the ball well for the Warriors and has the defensive quickness to cover a lot of territory, which helps with their extended zone defense strategy. Vargason says that they will need to take good shots when they get them and not worry about turnovers as long as they can create fastbreak opportunities and have quick guard play.

The Warriors will need to look for every fastbreak opportunity they can get and push the ball up the floor in order to get necessary baskets. They are not a high scoring team, so their defense has to be strong in order to bring home the title.

Kaitlin Hammersley will be a player to watch but Vargason knows she is not the only one. That's just another of their strong points going into the game.

“If someone tries to stop Hammersley, we can build around her,” Vargason said. “ They will have to watch everyone on our team and not concentrate on one player. Teamwork got us here and the team will win it for us if we do it, not one player.”

It could be an interesting game, especially since both teams are in the same predicament - without visuals to prepare with. The Warriors are staying relaxed and ready as they look for their most successful season in 29 years.

“This is a great group of girls,” Vargason said. “My expectation is to play well and come out on top, we have worked on a lot of drills and they know how to play basketball. We have had a lot of fun this year and the girls are ready, they want to go out and play.”