Cameron Palmer is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Fairfax High School for AZPrep365.com.

The Fairfax Stampede has had a remarkable season, a top team in the 5A Conference, and only one game away from being in the finals for the 5A State Championship. But the key to their success has been the strong bond between members of the team and the history that they have of playing with each other in the past.

Several members of the Stampede have had the experience of playing with each other before moving up into the high school ranks. And that chemistry has been seen on the court within the last two years.

Assistant coach Carlos Robinson, who had the luxury of coaching several players before they were in high school, saw the success and potential of the future Stampedes while also having the group build a connection as well.

“I knew actually going back to the sixth grade, we had the likes of Saniya Jones and Victoria Ballard, they were all playing with the high school at that age in Summer League tournaments and holding their own, so I knew then,” said Robinson. “If they can do it as sixth graders, I think it was going into seventh grade, actually, and they were playing with (older) players and contributing, so that’s when I knew they have a chance to be something special when they got to high school.”

Shooting guard Saniya Jones, who has been one of several players on the team who knew several of her teammates prior to high school, has noticed that the chemistry has benefited them on the court.

“I feel like since we have known each other for so long, we’ve got a lot of chemistry and it’s better for a team because we know each other’s positions and we know who needs the ball at the right time or who needs to make the right plays at the right time,” said Jones.

Center Dianalynn Howell, point guard Victoria Ballard and small forward Melanie Romero agreed with their teammate.

“We know each other, it’s not like we can predict what will happen,'' Howell said. "I know when Savannah is about to go off. I know when Mackenzie is about to go off. I know when Saniya is about to go and do her thing."

Head coach John Trujillo has also witnessed the chemistry and flow over the last two years.

“They definitely have chemistry, there is no doubt about that,'' he said. "So, it definitely plays a big, big role in the way that they play with each other. The way they know each other, I think it plays a huge role on our team as to the years past they have played with each other."

And the chemistry with the Fairfax girls basketball team that has been over time has led this team to much success on court, while building connections with their fellow teammates off the court.