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The Monarchs have just 10 days until they tip-off the 2008 season against the Silver Stars! Check out what Coach Boucek and Rebekkah Brunson had to say after the Monarchs practice Wednesday.

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What did you take away from the team's preseason game against the Mystics?
"The rookies showed that they can play, too, without some of our star players. Kara showed great leadership, Adrian showed great leadership and our rookies showed that they got it in them. We just played tough, played our style of basketball and showed that it works. It was a very encouraging trip. I think we all came back encouraged and very hopeful."

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Is it beneficial to have only two preseason games?
"For us it is not very beneficial to have them early, because we don’t have our players back. So it just depends on the timing of them. We are playing in preseason games and we don’t know who we are going to have, so it is almost impossible to predict. But when you have your players back and you play those practice games it reveals a lot. It is very helpful in the teaching process to go against another team in a game situation and just see where you're at."

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Izabela Piekarska had three three-pointers in two games. What is your reaction to seeing her stretch the floor like that?
"It’s a nice weapon to have. She not only can shoot the ball but she has a shooter's mentality. So it is a very good weapon."

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Have you seen a center in the women’s game with that kind of range before?
"Yeah, Lauren Jackson and Elena Baranova who I coached in Miami. They are two of the best that have ever come through the game. Both of them have been the best players in the world at different times in their career, and they did that. I’m fortunate to have coached a couple centers like that. It definitely gives you a lot of fun things to play with as a coach when they are in the game and they can stretch the defense like that."

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How difficult is the player evaluation process?
"It’s even more difficult than normal because we've had people that aren’t able to play. They aren’t going head to head, so it’s hard to compare them when they are not out there. That has been the biggest challenge."

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Speaking of health, how are the injured players doing?
"Chelsea and Ticha practiced a little bit today, so hopefully they’ll start to work their way back in. Sho started to do footwork. They are moving along, they are going in the right direction."

With Yolanda Griffith gone and DeMya Walker out, it seems like there would be a lot of pressure on you and Adrian Williams-Strong. Are you two feeling the effects?
"Both of us are prepared to do what we need to do to fill in for those two and we definitely have some good post players coming in to help us. Laura is great. She is showing great strides to becoming an awesome addition. So, I think we are very comfortable in the post."

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What are your thoughts on seeing Piekarska hit three three-pointers in your two preseason games?
"She is European, what can I say! That is how they do it. A lot of players in Europe are 6-foot-5 or 6-foot-6 post players who can step out and shoot threes. That is exactly who she is. She is a big body who can bang and also step out and shoot. It will help us spread the floor a little bit."