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The Sacramento Monarchs look to make headway in a competitive Western Conference when they host intrastate rival Los Angeles at 9 pm ET Thursday on ESPN2.

Playing in her 11th WNBA season, Ticha Penicheiro has discovered a fountain of youth of sorts in Sacramento this season. The always-steady point guard is turning in one of her better all-around campaigns, increasing her production in nearly every statistical category from the last few seasons. Penicheiro may be making the biggest impact on the offensive end for the Monarchs, as her 9.9 points per game are on pace to be a career high and she's shooting at her best clip ever (43 percent).

Can Penicheiro and the Monarchs keep up with the playoff chase in the West? Read what Penicheiro had to say when she stopped by to chat with fans prior to the clash with the Sparks.

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Rayquan (Marysville, CA): With the ups and downs the Monarchs have experienced this year, do you think you can still make the playoffs?

 Ticha Penicheiro: (2:05 PM ET ) Yes. if we go on a little winning streak anything is possible. There are still a lot of games to be played and the west is so tight.

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Bre; Seattle: Hi Ticha! I've been a fan of yours for years. I was wondering how you;ve been able to really push your teammates and keep up the good morale after Yo left. What can we expect to see tonight against LA? I'll be rooting for you all the way!!

 Ticha Penicheiro: (2:06 PM ET ) We have great chemistry. I'm loving this team and we get along well on and off the court. Yo was a big part of this franchise, but we're doing well. Today against LA, we're going to have our hands full against a great team, but if we play our best then I think we'll get them tonight.

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Louisville Kentucky: So, what is your game plan for defending Candace Parker? She has been on fire in the last couple games. Do you feel that your team will be able to hold her off?

 Ticha Penicheiro: (2:07 PM ET ) She just had 40 last night so hopefully she spent all of her energy. It will be a team effort to stop her, but you can't just focus on her because Lisa Leslie or DeLisha Milton-Jones will make you pay. We'll have our hands full for sure, but we'll be ready.

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A. Shepherd, Dayton, Ohio: Have you ever seen a player like Candace Parker?

 Ticha Penicheiro: (2:08 PM ET ) No. Honestly I'm a big fan of her game. For a player to be 6-5 and be able to do all of things that she can do. She has the whole package - she can dribble, shoot, pass, she has great post moves - and she's just a rookie. When I don't have to play against her I'm a big fan.

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Jay (Bristol. CT): Ticha, what prompted you to look for your shot more this year (the same shot you had when you were at ODU)?

 Ticha Penicheiro: (2:09 PM ET ) I didn't play overseas and I worked on my game and my technique in the offseason. I don't have a shooter's mentality per se, but I put in the work and its paying off so far this year and I'm happy about that.

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Hannah (elk grove, ca): do you feel like you need to step up to score more for your team, or do you like to stay within your offense?

 Ticha Penicheiro: (2:10 PM ET ) I've been trying to do that a little more this year, but it depends on the defense and how things are going. It's a mentality that I have to have, but I don't want to force things. My first instinct is to run the offense and get my teammates involved, but there are also points in the game where I can look for my shot and try to score more.

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Eric, Lansing ,Michigan: i am a big fan of sacramento monarchs and watch every game i can of yours. my question is you guys do so good in the first half of games and the second half is like a collapse. why is that and what are you guys as a team doing to work on that?

 Ticha Penicheiro: (2:11 PM ET ) I wish I had an answer for you, but we're still trying to figure it out. We're still young, but you also have to give credit to the other teams. All of the teams are good and they are not going to stop playing and fighting back just because we get a lead on them.

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Jen(Sacramento,CA): After 11 seasons in the league, do you think you have a shot at Most Improved this season? You are having your best scoring year of your career so far.

 Ticha Penicheiro: (2:12 PM ET ) Honestly I haven't thought about that. My focus is to win games for the Monarchs. If it happens in the end, then it happens. It honestly hasn't crossed my mind, but thank you for the compliment.

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Lauren Clark Houston, Texas: Ticha i think you are the BEST passing point guard in the leauge. The way you handle the ball is so natural. So my question is what is going though your mind when you play or pass? Are you thinking about what you are going to do with the ball or do you even think at all? Is it just all natural? Thanks for your time.

 Ticha Penicheiro: (2:14 PM ET ) Thank you so much for the compliment. A lot of it is natural, I've been playing for so long and I feel so comfortable with the ball in my hand and I've been blessed with great vision. And with passing, you also have to credit your teammates for catching the ball and making the basket.

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Slydon, Manila, Philippines: who is your toughest match-up at the point guard position in the west and east?

 Ticha Penicheiro: (2:14 PM ET ) I would probably say Lindsay Whalen in Connecticut and Sue Bird in Seattle. They are two of my favorites to watch, but not my favorites to guard. I'm a big fan of their games.

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Shenell from Palmetto, FL: First, I want to start by saying that you are a great passer, and you can handle the basketball very well. Since this is your 11th season playing in the WNBA, how much longer do you think you'll continue playing?

 Ticha Penicheiro: (2:15 PM ET ) I don't really put a time to it, it just depends on how my body and mind feels. I still have the same passion for basketball that I did when I first started playing. If my body and mind hold up and I can still play the game, then I'll keep playing for a while.

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Bruno Baltazar,Portugal: Hi Ticha how are you? You are having a great season. Do you want to end your career with the Monarchs? After your career what you want to do? Thanks

 Ticha Penicheiro: (2:17 PM ET ) I honestly don't see myself playing for any other team. I've been playing here since the beginning. Every year I get offers from other teams and I listen for a little bit, but my heart is here. I love the city and the fans and I can't see myself playing anywhere else. After I'm done playing, I want to be a sports agent.

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Eric (Phoenix Arizona): Hi Ticha! Let me first say how awesome of a player you are, i love your game. So, besides Arco Arena which other WNBA venue do you like to play at?

 Ticha Penicheiro: (2:18 PM ET ) Madison Square Garden in New York is the Mecca of basketball. I remember being so excited to play there the first time. Even not being an American, I still know the history of what's happened in that arena.

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Ken (Syracuse, NY): Hi Ticha. I think you're the best passer in women's basketball, period. I know the team is rebuilding. In your eyes, what has to happen for the team to continue getting better to eventually regain the elite status it used to enjoy in the league?

 Ticha Penicheiro: (2:19 PM ET ) We lost Yo and we lost DeMya to injury and those are two great veteran players. We just need to keep getting better with the players we have and hopefully we can get DeMya back as well. We just need to compete. The league is so competitive. We just have to work individually and as a team to get better. It's tough.

 Ticha Penicheiro: (2:20 PM ET ) I just want to thank everybody for taking the time to send in their questions for the chat. To all of the Ticha fans and WNBA fans thank you for your support.