A roller coaster could describe the Monarchs 2003 season. The Monarchs gave us all the thrilling twists and turns that WNBA basketball can bring. And just as the last game reached its peak in a Game 3 Western Conference final, we now prepare for the off-season, and look forward to next year. Like a roller coaster, this season gave us a ride we won’t soon forget.

Sacramento opened the preseason 2-0, defeating Seattle twice by a combined score of 137-112. Sacramento was going to be a strong contender in 2003.

When the regular season began, however, the Monarchs struggled, going 8-11 in the first 19 games. But despite the slow start the team accomplished a lot along the way. In just their second game, the Monarchs set a new franchise record, dishing out 27 assists against Minnesota. The Monarchs then routed Phoenix 69-49 in front of a sellout crowd of 17,317 for their ARCO Arena home opener.

Ticha Penicheiro then recorded her 1,000th career point against Los Angeles. Ten days later, Yolanda Griffith sank her 2000th career point at New York, while the very next day Lady Grooms tallied her 1000th career point at Washington. Even more thrilling was the impressive 69-60 win over the Sparks in Los Angeles, as the Monarchs snapped their 10-game losing streak against L.A.

Soon after, Monarchs Assistant General Manager John Whisenant stepped in as the Interim Head Coach. In Whisenant’s first game, the Monarchs concluded the first half of the season with an exciting 89-76 victory over San Antonio at ARCO Arena. In that game, Penicheiro had 10 steals, setting a new WNBA record. Although Griffith was again named to the WNBA All-Star team (her fourth appearance in five years), the remainder of the season seemed uncertain for Sacramento as the team headed into the All-Star break.

The second half of the season, however, brought one of the best turnarounds in franchise history, as the Monarchs finished with a league-best 11-4 post-All-Star break record. When league play resumed on July 15, Tangela Smith recorded her 2000th career point as Sacramento defeated Cleveland 66-57. Two days later the Monarchs battled it out with the Silver Stars as Grooms made a turnaround jump shot at the buzzer for the exciting 62-60 victory.

When the Monarchs beat Los Angeles 83-75 in their final regular season meeting at ARCO Arena, rookie guard Kara Lawson netted six three-pointers, tying a franchise-record. Four days later the Monarchs beat San Antonio for their final regular season meeting. In that game, Sacramento set a new franchise record, shooting an impressive 60 percent (36-of-60) from the floor in the 86-61 win.

At season’s end, Sacramento clinched a spot in the 2003 Western Conference Playoffs, but not before both Ruthie Bolton and Edna Campbell scored their 2000th and 1000th respective career points in the 65-61 overtime win at Phoenix (8/15).

As the Monarchs began the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons, there were predications that this team would win it all. They came close. After an exciting 69-65 triumph over the Comets in front of 10,612 fans at ARCO Arena, the Monarchs made the trek to Houston. Sacramento dropped the second game 69-48, but rebounded quickly. They defeated the four-time WNBA Champions 70-68 in an exciting third game, advancing to the 2003 Western Conference Finals against Los Angeles.

The Monarchs once again proved that ARCO Arena is the best place to play, as 13,986 fans watched Sacramento trounce the Sparks 77-69. Just a win away from the WNBA finals, the Monarchs lost in Los Angeles 79-54. It came down to the final meeting: a nail-biting 40 minutes of non-stop action. After being tied at 62, the Monarchs came up one basket short, as Lawson’s 3-point attempt rimmed in and out in the 66-63 final. Sacramento’s exhilarating ride had come to an end.

In the midst of it all, Penicheiro won the WNBA’s Cascade Dish & Assist Award for leading the league in assists, dishing out 6.7 per game during the 2003 season. Also, Campbell was the recipient of the 2003 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award, as she was honored for being the WNBA player who best represents the ideals of sportsmanship.

Although the season ended three wins short of a championship, the Monarchs had a great season, and are excited to get back on that rollercoaster for another exciting ride!