http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/310713.html
A loss, then angry words
Yolanda Griffith calls out her teammates, then game officials.
By Patrick Dorsey - Special To The Bee
Last Updated 12:44 am PDT Monday, August 6, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C7
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Monarchs failed to clinch a playoff spot Sunday night.
They also failed to tie San Antonio and Phoenix atop the Western Conference.
No big deal. They have seven games left in the season -- needing just one win to qualify for the postseason -- and two apiece against the Silver Stars and Mercury.
Still, nothing about the 63-55 loss to the Indiana Fever sat well with center Yolanda Griffith.
Not even her teammates.
"I can't speak for them," an angry Griffith said. "Everybody is a lone individual. You know how to prepare yourself for a game (so) prepare yourself for a game. So whether we can clinch the playoff spot or whatever, right now, I don't know. I just don't know what's going on.
"You want to take advantage of certain situations, and tonight was a good situation."
It was, Griffith said, because the Fever was without star Tamika Catchings for the eighth consecutive game.
But, Griffith said, the Monarchs played with a lack of urgency. It hurt the offense, which committed 22 turnovers and shot a season-low 30 percent. It damaged the defense, which allowed 40 first-half points -- leading to a 17-point halftime deficit -- before coming together in the final 20 minutes.
The Monarchs were able to close their deficit to 60-55 on a Chelsea Newton three-pointer with 1:18 to go. But with a chance to get closer, Ticha Penicheiro threw an errant pass with 34 seconds left. A quick Fever basket put the game out of reach.
The second-half surge encouraged Newton and coach Jenny Boucek. But the first half frustrated them just as it did Griffith, who scored eight of her 11 points in the first quarter and had nine rebounds.
Newton scored 10 points, the only other Sacramento player in double figures.
Boucek wasn't as critical as her starting center after the game. Still, while a playoff spot is close to guaranteed, she wants to win every game in order to build momentum.
"We have to worry about winning games, every game," said Boucek, whose team entered Sunday night's contest having won four of five. "Even if we clinched tonight, I wouldn't want my team to relax. Every game is really important right now."
Teammates and effort weren't the only things troubling Griffith, who criticized officials for letting the game get too physical.
"You've got the ball and you get raked from behind and the ball goes flying somewhere else, that's a ... foul."
When asked further about the officiating, she continued.
"(They stink). They are not consistent. They have not been consistent the whole season. It's ridiculous. This is not basketball, it's football. And it's like, I want to enjoy the game (but) you can't enjoy the game, because you've got to be mentally strong and prepare yourself (so) you don't (get) hurt."
Sunday night's game was officiated by Sue Blauch, Lamont Simpson and Eric Brewton.
A loss, then angry words
Yolanda Griffith calls out her teammates, then game officials.
By Patrick Dorsey - Special To The Bee
Last Updated 12:44 am PDT Monday, August 6, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C7
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Monarchs failed to clinch a playoff spot Sunday night.
They also failed to tie San Antonio and Phoenix atop the Western Conference.
No big deal. They have seven games left in the season -- needing just one win to qualify for the postseason -- and two apiece against the Silver Stars and Mercury.
Still, nothing about the 63-55 loss to the Indiana Fever sat well with center Yolanda Griffith.
Not even her teammates.
"I can't speak for them," an angry Griffith said. "Everybody is a lone individual. You know how to prepare yourself for a game (so) prepare yourself for a game. So whether we can clinch the playoff spot or whatever, right now, I don't know. I just don't know what's going on.
"You want to take advantage of certain situations, and tonight was a good situation."
It was, Griffith said, because the Fever was without star Tamika Catchings for the eighth consecutive game.
But, Griffith said, the Monarchs played with a lack of urgency. It hurt the offense, which committed 22 turnovers and shot a season-low 30 percent. It damaged the defense, which allowed 40 first-half points -- leading to a 17-point halftime deficit -- before coming together in the final 20 minutes.
The Monarchs were able to close their deficit to 60-55 on a Chelsea Newton three-pointer with 1:18 to go. But with a chance to get closer, Ticha Penicheiro threw an errant pass with 34 seconds left. A quick Fever basket put the game out of reach.
The second-half surge encouraged Newton and coach Jenny Boucek. But the first half frustrated them just as it did Griffith, who scored eight of her 11 points in the first quarter and had nine rebounds.
Newton scored 10 points, the only other Sacramento player in double figures.
Boucek wasn't as critical as her starting center after the game. Still, while a playoff spot is close to guaranteed, she wants to win every game in order to build momentum.
"We have to worry about winning games, every game," said Boucek, whose team entered Sunday night's contest having won four of five. "Even if we clinched tonight, I wouldn't want my team to relax. Every game is really important right now."
Teammates and effort weren't the only things troubling Griffith, who criticized officials for letting the game get too physical.
"You've got the ball and you get raked from behind and the ball goes flying somewhere else, that's a ... foul."
When asked further about the officiating, she continued.
"(They stink). They are not consistent. They have not been consistent the whole season. It's ridiculous. This is not basketball, it's football. And it's like, I want to enjoy the game (but) you can't enjoy the game, because you've got to be mentally strong and prepare yourself (so) you don't (get) hurt."
Sunday night's game was officiated by Sue Blauch, Lamont Simpson and Eric Brewton.
