By Hannah Hall — Staff Writer
Megan Anderson and Danae Marquez have spent the majority of their basketball careers side by side.
The history and memories they’ve made on and off the basketball court for the last 10 years have helped them develop as players.
Their relationship began when they played for the Amatuer Athletic Union Chaos basketball program that they competed in through seventh grade.
AAU would soon lead into the beginning of a dynasty at Clovis West High School in Fresno, Calif.
Once the Fresno natives began high school, they soon learned that they were a part of a special program that would achieve greatness.
“Being freshmen on varsity, we were taught the tradition and culture,” Marquez said. “We were able to contribute, which carried over into future seasons.”
The girls knew what their role was going into the program. They were able to make the difference that was needed for the high school to accomplish some of the highest achievements.
“Going into it, we knew we were going to be put under a lot of pressure,” Anderson said. “The people above us gave us a great example which we carried on throughout our entire senior year.”
As Golden Eagles, the pair helped the team clinch its 40-0 record and the Valley Championship for four consecutive years.
In the duo’s senior year, they won a state championship in the California Interscholastic Federation Open Division and soon became national champions in a “dream season.”
The team finished the year as MaxPreps, ESPN and the Army National Guard’s top-ranked high school team in the nation and became the Cal-Hi Sports State Team of the Year.
Throughout the four years spent at Clovis West, they posted an impressive record of 117-15.
After their high school domination, Anderson and Marquez were able to push their careers one step further.
The sophomores visited SJSU together, but didn’t want to put any pressure on each other when it came to choosing where to continue playing.
Both have been solid additions to the program over the past two years.
Marquez is currently tied with Natalie St. Mary for 17th place on the program’s career-assists list with 192 and has 58 3-pointers as a Spartan.
Anderson is a sharpshooter whose rebounds and points remain critical for the team. In her first season as a Spartan, she set the program’s freshman single-season record for 3-pointers (46) and her .438 shooting percentage beyond the arc is the best clip in program history for a single season.
Their chemistry on the court is unmissable.
“It honestly helped so much that we’ve played together for so long,” Anderson said. “We just know each other so well and have a feel for each other on the court.”
Marquez said they get each other’s humor — which is essential when considering their chemistry. Looking back on their freshman year, it helped to “have someone that you can depend on off the court.”
They were able to find comfort in each other and faced the new challenges that Division I basketball brought to their lives, including handling success with wins and learning how to improve off of a loss.
“It’s tougher than anything we’ve ever experienced,” Anderson said. “It’s helped because we are so mentally tough and can get through adversity.”
The Fresno natives help each other on the court by “holding each other accountable, because they know that they are capable of pushing to obtain success,” according to Marquez.
Additionally, they have strengthened their mentalities to adjust to basketball at SJSU.
“This year, we’ve learned the positive mindset mentality and to keep pushing which will help us in life in general.” Anderson said.
Follow Hannah on Twitter @hannah_halll