http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/204146.html
Monarchs persevere after Walker's injury
They overcome the major loss for a come-from-behind win over the Sparks.
By Melody Gutierrez - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:18 am PDT Sunday, June 3, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C5
Yolanda Griffith walked off the court heading straight down the sideline toward DeMya Walker, who was propped up by crutches, her cheeks puffy from crying.
Griffith put her forehead against Walker's during the emotionally charged game Saturday night at Arco Arena.
Griffith did the talking. Walker, who badly injured her right knee in the first quarter, nodded.
Then Griffith headed back to the court to help stage the Monarchs' comeback.
In their home opener, the Monarchs beat the Los Angeles Sparks 88-85 before an announced sellout crowd of 17,317, many of whom chanted "Beat L.A." in the waning minutes.
"It shows the heart and character of each player to get the win without a complete team," Griffith said.
Walker, who is scheduled for a magnetic resonance imaging exam Monday, joins Rebekkah Brunson, Griffith and several other players nursing more than just bumps. Brunson sprained her left shoulder during Thursday's practice and did not play Saturday. She is listed as day-to-day, although she said her shoulder is much improved.
Griffith has been playing with a torn ligament in her right thumb, which she has taped to provide splint-like support for the painful injury.
"We have to keep pushing forward," Griffith said following the game.
But that is difficult when everyone remained unsure of the extent of Walker's injury. Many acknowledged the news likely will be bad and potentially season-ending.
"It just felt like the wind got knocked out of me," Nicole Powell said. "It looked serious, and she looked like she was in a lot of pain."
Walker was jumping for a lead pass by Ticha Penicheiro while fighting for position under the basket with Taj McWilliams-Franklin. McWilliams-Franklin stepped on Walker's left foot, causing the two to fall.
Walker, who was not made available to reporters after the game, remained on the court for several minutes with McWilliams-Franklin cradling her head and apologizing.
By intermission, the air was sucked out of the arena as the Monarchs (3-2) surrendered an eight-point lead and trailed 46-35.
"It did affect us," Griffith said. "It affected everybody."
But just as Walker's exit from the court on a stretcher deflated the Monarchs, her return, albeit on crutches, lifted the team in the third quarter. Walker was greeted by a standing ovation when she joined her team with 5:40 remaining. Two seconds later, Powell hit a 12-foot jump shot to narrow the Sparks' lead to 52-47. The Monarchs outscored Los Angeles 27-17 in the third quarter.
Powell finished with team highs of 19 points and eight rebounds. Kara Lawson and Penicheiro had 14 points each, and Kristin Haynie had a career-high seven assists.
Rookie forward Sidney Spencer scored a game-high 22 points off the bench for the Sparks (2-2). Mwadi Mabika finished with 18 points.
First-year Monarchs coach Jenny Boucek praised her squad.
"This team is so unified," Boucek said. "They care about each other deeply. That (Walker's injury) hurt us in the first half.
"This team is not going to quit ever. This is a team with so much heart."
About the writer: The Bee's Melody Gutierrez can be reached at (916) 326-5521 or mgutierrez@sacbee.com.
Monarchs persevere after Walker's injury
They overcome the major loss for a come-from-behind win over the Sparks.
By Melody Gutierrez - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:18 am PDT Sunday, June 3, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C5
Yolanda Griffith walked off the court heading straight down the sideline toward DeMya Walker, who was propped up by crutches, her cheeks puffy from crying.
Griffith put her forehead against Walker's during the emotionally charged game Saturday night at Arco Arena.
Griffith did the talking. Walker, who badly injured her right knee in the first quarter, nodded.
Then Griffith headed back to the court to help stage the Monarchs' comeback.
In their home opener, the Monarchs beat the Los Angeles Sparks 88-85 before an announced sellout crowd of 17,317, many of whom chanted "Beat L.A." in the waning minutes.
"It shows the heart and character of each player to get the win without a complete team," Griffith said.
Walker, who is scheduled for a magnetic resonance imaging exam Monday, joins Rebekkah Brunson, Griffith and several other players nursing more than just bumps. Brunson sprained her left shoulder during Thursday's practice and did not play Saturday. She is listed as day-to-day, although she said her shoulder is much improved.
Griffith has been playing with a torn ligament in her right thumb, which she has taped to provide splint-like support for the painful injury.
"We have to keep pushing forward," Griffith said following the game.
But that is difficult when everyone remained unsure of the extent of Walker's injury. Many acknowledged the news likely will be bad and potentially season-ending.
"It just felt like the wind got knocked out of me," Nicole Powell said. "It looked serious, and she looked like she was in a lot of pain."
Walker was jumping for a lead pass by Ticha Penicheiro while fighting for position under the basket with Taj McWilliams-Franklin. McWilliams-Franklin stepped on Walker's left foot, causing the two to fall.
Walker, who was not made available to reporters after the game, remained on the court for several minutes with McWilliams-Franklin cradling her head and apologizing.
By intermission, the air was sucked out of the arena as the Monarchs (3-2) surrendered an eight-point lead and trailed 46-35.
"It did affect us," Griffith said. "It affected everybody."
But just as Walker's exit from the court on a stretcher deflated the Monarchs, her return, albeit on crutches, lifted the team in the third quarter. Walker was greeted by a standing ovation when she joined her team with 5:40 remaining. Two seconds later, Powell hit a 12-foot jump shot to narrow the Sparks' lead to 52-47. The Monarchs outscored Los Angeles 27-17 in the third quarter.
Powell finished with team highs of 19 points and eight rebounds. Kara Lawson and Penicheiro had 14 points each, and Kristin Haynie had a career-high seven assists.
Rookie forward Sidney Spencer scored a game-high 22 points off the bench for the Sparks (2-2). Mwadi Mabika finished with 18 points.
First-year Monarchs coach Jenny Boucek praised her squad.
"This team is so unified," Boucek said. "They care about each other deeply. That (Walker's injury) hurt us in the first half.
"This team is not going to quit ever. This is a team with so much heart."
About the writer: The Bee's Melody Gutierrez can be reached at (916) 326-5521 or mgutierrez@sacbee.com.