SACRAMENTO MONARCHS
2003 Results: The Monarchs finished 19-15 (.559), third in the West.
Roster | Stats | 2004 Schedule
Head coach: John Whisenant enters his second season with the team.
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2004 Probable Starters:
C:
PF:
SF:
SG:
PG:

2004 Draft Results:
Rd. 1:
Rd. 3:
D.D.*:

2003 Leaders:
Points
Yolanda Griffith, 13.8 ppg
Rebs.
Yolanda Griffith, 7.3 rpg
Assts.
Ticha Penicheiro, 6.7 apg
Blocks
Yolanda Griffith, 1.15 bpg
Steals
Ticha Penicheiro, 1.79 spg

They Said It:
"I know she's more comfortable at post, but her future is on the wing. She has the athleticism to do it, but she's got to get out there and experience it."
-- Head coach John Wisenant to the Sacramento Bee on where rookie Rebekkah Brunson will play

VGM Prospect: Yolanda Griffith
While Griffith is a known quantity, she's still one of the best post players in the game. "Yo" fills four of the five major stat categories (points, rebounds, blocks and assists), but she isn't as pricy as Lisa Leslie.
WNBA.com Virtual GM

(*-Denotes "Dispersal Draft")
Sacramento Monarchs: 2004 Preview

For the Sacramento Monarchs, 2003 represented a return to form as the perennial contenders made it back to the Western Conference Finals. Entering 2004, given their experience and talent level, the Monarchs have to be considered one of the top challengers to the Sparks' stranglehold on the West.


Griffith

Penicheiro
The foundation of the team, as it has been for the last five seasons, lies in the inside-outside combination of Ticha Penicheiro and Yolanda Griffith. Penicheiro is a spirited floor leader whose athleticism and skill make her one of the WNBA's top point guards. Still, there has to be some cause for concern about the fact that last season, Penicheiro (29 years old) had career lows in scoring (5.4 points per game), assists (6.7 per game), shooting (.302 field-goal percentage) and free-throw shooting (.579).

Like Penicheiro, Griffith (34) is still among the game's best at her position (center). Also like Penicheiro, however, 2003 was arguably her worst season statistically, as she had career-lows in scoring (13.8 points per game), rebounding (7.3 per game) and shooting (.485 field-goal percentage).

While it's easy to read into the statistical declines of Sacramento's two biggest stars, the Monarchs were still one of the league's top teams last season. This leads one to believe that Penicheiro and Griffith have a talented supporting cast, and a quick rundown of the team's roster backs this claim.


Brunson
Tangela Smith is a skilled 6-4 power forward who can score (12.6 points per game in 2003), rebound (5.5 per game) and strike from range when needed. DeMya Walker (9.0 points, 4.4 rebounds in '03) provides added size and scoring up front. Both players are vital to Sacramento's defense and rebounding, which are key factors in getting Penicheiro out in the open floor, a place she thrives.

At 35, the inspirational Edna Campbell (7.9 points, .414 3-point percentage) enters the year as the starting shooting guard, but she'll be pushed by second-year guard Kara Lawson (7.7 points, .400 3-point percentage). Regardless of who emerges as the top option at the two, both are capable scorers who complement Penicheiro effectively.

Rounding out the team's rotation is rookie Rebekkah Brunson. While the 6-3 Brunson was solely used as a post player during her career at Georgetown, coach John Whisenant has high hopes for her ability to play small forward for the Monarchs. Brunson's quick hands, athleticism and penchant for rebounding should make her a difficult perimeter matchup for the opposition. Her ability to develop into a consistent offensive threat would be a huge boost for Sacramento.

And while Whisenant, himself, can't be called a new arrival (he took over the Monarchs midway through last season), his positive impact on the team should carry over into 2004. Under Whisenant, the Monarchs finished 2003 with 12 wins in their last 16 games, and then went on to oust the Comets in the first round of the playoffs before bowing out to the Sparks.

This season, if the Monarchs can get a little more from Penicheiro and Griffith while continuing to develop their talented supporting cast, the West just might be theirs for the taking.



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