Monarchs weekly update

May 6, 2004 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Sacramento Monarchs News Release


Monarchs Most Recent Game Recap

May 5, 2004 at Minnesota - L, 78-60 (The Pit - Albuquerque, NM)

The Monarchs lost their first preseason game of the year, 78-60, to the Minnesota Lynx at The Pit in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Sacramento trailed the Lynx the entire night only managing to tie the score once (2-2). At the close of the first half Minnesota led, 33-30. After the break the Monarchs came within six points (48-42) with 13 minutes remaining before the Lynx notched six quick points (54-42) and never looked back. Minnesota shot an impressive 60.0% (21-of-35) in the second half compared to the Sacramento's 48.1% (13-of-27).

The Lynx outrebounded the Monarchs 38-36, held the points in the paint advantage 44-32 and outscored Sacramento 12-4 in fast break points. The Monarchs 19 turnovers and 11 assists didn't measure up to the Lynx 12 turnovers and 21 assists.

Leading the Monarchs in the loss were forwards DeMya Walker and Yolanda Griffith contributing 12 and 11 points respectively. Griffith also led the team in rebounds gathering eight boards followed by rookie forward Rebekkah Brunson who grabbed six rebounds and totaled four points. Forward Tangela Smith and guard Tanty Maïga each tallied seven points in the loss. Smith left the game with 17 minutes remaining due to a collision on the court involving her left knee.

Minnesota rookies Nicole Ohlde and Amber Jacobs led the Lynx in scoring with 12 points a piece, while Tamika Williams was the teams leading rebounder with eight boards.

Monarchs Approaching Third Consecutive Opening Night Sellout

The Monarchs are approaching the organization's third consecutive Opening Night sell-out after opening the 2003 season on May 30, 2003 and 2002 season on June 1, 2002 to a sold out crowd of 17,317. A limited number of tickets are still available for Opening Night on Saturday, May 22 versus the Minnesota Lynx at ARCO Arena. Single game tickets for Monarchs Opening Night and the team's 17 regular season home games will go on sale, Friday, May 7, at 10 a.m.

2004 Monarchs Coaching Staff

John Whisenant returns for his second season as head coach of the Sacramento Monarchs and first season as the team General Manager. Whisenant took over the head coaching duties for the Monarchs mid-way through last season and finished with an impressive 12-4 (75% winning percentage) regular season record and led the Monarchs to the WNBA Western Conference Finals.

Tom Abatemarco returns for his first full season as the Monarchs assistant coach after a one-season (2003-04) stint as an assistant coach at the University of Utah. Abatemarco will rejoin Coach Whiz, having teamed up with him midway through the 2003 season, in which the two guided the team to the WNBA Western Conference Finals.

Steven Shuman returns for his fourth season as advance scout and video coordinator for the Monarchs. Shuman will be busy traveling to countless WNBA and college games in search from winning talent for the Monarchs.

Monique Ambers returns for her third season as Monarchs assistant coach and is no stranger to the organization having been invited to the Monarchs 2001 Training Camp. She focuses on developing the skills of the post players and advanced scouting for the Monarchs.

Player Report for the 2003-04 Off-Season

Chantelle Anderson played 19 games for MiZo-Pécsi VSK in Pécs, Hungary averaging 24.6 mpg, 15.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.1 spg, while shooting 54.7% from the floor.

Edna Campbell played 16 for the Colorado Chill of the National Women's Basketball League (NWBL) averaging 27.2 mpg, 12.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.3 apg and 1.4 spg, while shooting 42.9% from the floor and 50.0% from the three-point line. She was also an NWBL All-Star selection.

Yolanda Griffith played 27 games for UMMC in Ekaterinburg, Russia averaging 28.7 mpg, 21.4 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 1.3 apg and 1.6 spg, while shooting 59.9% from the floor. Was named the EuroLeague Player of the Week (2/13/04) and helped her team place second in the Russian Championship.

Christelle Jouandon played 19 games for Cavigal Nice Sports in France averaging 29.3 mpg, 13.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.7 spg, while shooting 40.8% from the floor.

Kara Lawson played five games with the WNBA Select Team at the 2003 FIBA Women's World Cup where they placed second averaging 20.8 mpg, 8.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.2 apg and 0.8 spg while shooting 51.9% from the floor.

Tanty Maïga played 30 games for Yaya Maria in Spain averaging 33.7 mpg, 15.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.3 apg and 3.0 spg, while shooting 47.5% from the floor.

Núria Martínez played 26 games for Perfumerías Avenida in Spain averaging 36.3 mpg, 13.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.5 apg, 4.1 spg, while shooting 40.9% from the floor.

Ticha Penicheiro played 40 games for UMMC in Ekaterinburg, Russia averaging 22.1 mpg, 5.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.4 apg and 2.7 spg, while shooting 44.6% from the floor. Her team was the runner up in the Russian Championship.

Tangela Smith played 11 games for Levoni in Taranto, Italy averaging 38.0 mpg, 16.4 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 3.2 spg, while shooting 42.9% from the floor. Also played six games with the USA Basketball team as an Olympic hopeful and averaged 17.2 mpg, 8.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.2 spg, while shooting 69.7% from the floor.

DeMya Walker played in over 30 games for Baltiyskaia Zvezda in St. Petersburg, Russia averaging 27.5 mpg, 17.6 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 3.3 apg and 1.6 spg, while shooting 51.8% from the floor. Was named MVP as she helped her team win the 2004 FIBA Europe Cup. Her team placed third in the Russian Championship.

Double Take

There are four Monarchs players who happen to have a twin brother or sister: Ruthie Bolton has a twin brother; Rebekkah Brunson has a twin brother; Núria Martínez has a twin sister and Giuliana Mendiola has a twin brother.



Women's National Basketball Association Stories from May 6, 2004


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