SACRAMENTO MONARCHS Roster | 2008 Schedule Head coach: Jenny Boucek is entering her second season with the team. Purchase Monarchs tickets now! Fan Voice: Talk about the Monarchs! 2008 PROJECTED STARTERS: PG: Ticha Penicheiro SG: Chelsea Newton SF: Nicole Powell PF: Rebekkah Brunson C: Adrian Williams-Strong 2008 DRAFT RESULTS: Rd. 1: Laura Harper Rd. 3: A'Quonesia Franklin Rd. 3: Izabela Piekarska Rd. 3: Charel Allen

SEASON RECAP

In 2007, under first-year coach Jenny Boucek, the Monarchs rolled to the best record in the West at the All-Star break despite losing DeMya Walker to a knee injury just a few games in. But the team's motor slowed in the second half as injuries began to catch up with the team and the Monarchs finished the regular season at 19-15. That trend continued in the first round of the postseason as the Monarchs were ousted by San Antonio in a hard-fought, three-game series.

Brunson

WHAT WENT RIGHT

Rebekkah Brunson replaced the injured Walker in the starting lineup and was a powerful force on the frontline, as she averaged 11.5 points and 8.9 rebounds and earned her first WNBA All-Star selection. Accompanying Brunson was another youngster, Nicole Powell, who proved to be a versatile player at the forward spot. A threat from both inside and outside, she averaged 12.8 points and 5.6 boards per game.

All-Star guard Kara Lawson, who would start on most WNBA teams, thrived in her role as sixth woman with Sacramento and averaged 11.0 points per game, good for third best on the squad.

The reliable and savvy Ticha Penicheiro distributed the ball well all season, as she averaged 4.5 assists per game. Also a tough defender, she averaged a team-high 1.53 steals a night.

WHAT WENT WRONG

Griffith

For the first time in three years, the Monarchs failed to reach the WNBA Finals, as injuries and age plagued the squad. Walker went down early and Sacramento staple Yolanda Griffith was not in full force for much of the season due to nagging injuries that included a hyper-extended knee.

While the Monarchs were their stingy selves on defense, they struggled offensively. Sacramento hit only 41 percent of their shots from the field (third-worst in the league) and nailed only 77 percent of their free throws.

LOOKING AHEAD

Powell

The Monarchs said goodbye to their perennial All-Star and longtime franchise player Yolanda Griffith, who signed with Seattle this offseason. They also will be without backup point guard Kristin Haynie, who was chosen by the Atlanta Dream in their expansion draft. DeMya Walker once again injured her knee during this preseason, and will miss the entire 2008 season. Finally, with Penicheiro in the latter stages of her career, the Monarchs have needs to address.

Fortunately, they already have two young stars to build around in Brunson and Powell. Chelsea Newton is a phenomenal defender on the perimeter, but could stand to produce more on the offensive end. And in the post, Adrian Williams-Strong will likely step into the starting role, but the Monarchs also added Maryland post player Laura Harper in the first round of the 2008 Draft, a player they're hoping can eventually fill the void left by the departure of Griffith.

Harper

Three picks in the third round landed the Monarchs a potential, eventual replacement for Penicheiro at the point in A'Quonesia Franklin, another big post player in Izabela Piekarska and an off-guard with big scoring potential in Charel Allen.

As successful as Brunson and Powell were last season, they'll need to step up their games to compete with the other imposing front lines in the Western Conference. If the Monarchs are to keep their postseason streak alive, Lawson, too, must continue to score and be more of a leader both on and off the court.