http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/342365.html
Ailene Voisin: Monarchs have a way, but do they have the will?
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Columnist
Last Updated 5:04 am PDT Friday, August 24, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C8
So, no, they didn't forget. They didn't forget who they are, what they do, why they win. They didn't forget the WNBA championship in 2005 and the miserable finale in 2006. So, now, the questions for the Monarchs become these: Can they remember how it all came together in the series opener Thursday night against the visiting San Antonio Silver Stars? Can they follow the worn, effective, familiar script and resist the temptation of a one-night stand?
Because if they can?
These Monarchs can be really, really special all over again.
These Monarchs can stun the league, all over again.
"I think (Connecticut coach) Mike Thibault said it first two years ago," related Ticha Penicheiro, after her club's convincing 86-65 victory before an announced crowd of 10,126. "He said: 'Playing the Monarchs is like going to the dentist. You just dread going.' "
On this particular evening, the Silver Stars wanted no part of the heat wave that struck inside Arco Arena. For one of few times this season -- too few times, according to several of the grumpy, seasoned veterans -- the Monarchs inflicted pain and suffering by pressuring fullcourt, swarming underneath, forcing the pace, sharing the ball, and most importantly, attacking the smaller Silver Stars where it hurt most: on the interior, with the high/low schemes that in previous seasons have been so beneficial.
Rebekkah Brunson repeatedly put her head down and drove for layups, scored off short jumpers, or kicked outside to open teammates. Yolanda Griffith drew defenders and snatched nine rebounds. Adrian Williams tossed a couple of entry passes and scored inside during a crucial third-period stretch. Kara Lawson and Kristin Haynie aggressively drove the ball. Penicheiro established the aggressive tenor -- offensively and defensively -- with three quick steals and a jumper from the side. And Nicole Powell, matched against the smaller Helen Darling for most of the evening, responded with a career-playoff high 22 points, eight rebounds, and a friskiness that left her own mother shaking her head.
"I don't know why she waits so long to do this," Ruth Powell said, with a wry grin. "I haven't seen some of those moves since she was at Stanford. I'm just glad I got here in time to see it. It's expensive to travel (from Phoenix), so my husband and I flipped a coin. Heads wins every time. But I barely made it in time. I put on my makeup in the bathroom."
Any particular move impress her most?
"The spinning drive to the basket," her mother continued. "But there were others, too."
There were layups, floaters, step-throughs and jumpers from the wings. There was a momentum-setting three-pointer late, nifty passes throughout, and a flurry of points that enabled the Monarchs to regain their rhythm after the Silver Stars had overcome a 13-point deficit and tied the game with 26 seconds remaining in the opening half. As fans squirmed in their seats, fearing another of those fatal offensive lulls that plagued the Monarchs during the regular season, Powell, who has transformed her once chunky frame into a powerful 6-foot-3, 175-pound presence, immediately responded with a driving layup, then swiped a defensive rebound and scored two of her nine free throws to stretch the lead at intermission.
In the opening minutes of the third quarter, she added four more free throws, and eventually, the spinning post move favored by her mother.
"We talked about it before the game," explained Penicheiro. "Helen Darling is a great defensive guard, but we have to take advantage of Nicole in the post. She can do so many things. And when she plays like this -- when we play like this -- this is how we are. We just have to keep doing it."
Their task, of course, becomes more difficult with the best-of-three series moving to San Antonio for Game 2 Saturday. Nonetheless, if they can sustain this level of energy, effort and overall cohesion, they could atone for what most of the players have judged to be a disappointing closing weeks of the season. It wasn't merely the won-loss record that was so bothersome. Mainly, it was the fact that the Monarchs no longer resembled the Monarchs. The harassing defense was absent. The pace was laborious, the inside game nonexistent. Furthermore, the players appeared increasingly frustrated, at times confused, perhaps even overwhelmed.
"This is who we are," Penicheiro insisted, stubbornly.
Time will tell if they truly remember.
About the writer: Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@ sacbee.com
Ailene Voisin: Monarchs have a way, but do they have the will?
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Columnist
Last Updated 5:04 am PDT Friday, August 24, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C8
So, no, they didn't forget. They didn't forget who they are, what they do, why they win. They didn't forget the WNBA championship in 2005 and the miserable finale in 2006. So, now, the questions for the Monarchs become these: Can they remember how it all came together in the series opener Thursday night against the visiting San Antonio Silver Stars? Can they follow the worn, effective, familiar script and resist the temptation of a one-night stand?
Because if they can?
These Monarchs can be really, really special all over again.
These Monarchs can stun the league, all over again.
"I think (Connecticut coach) Mike Thibault said it first two years ago," related Ticha Penicheiro, after her club's convincing 86-65 victory before an announced crowd of 10,126. "He said: 'Playing the Monarchs is like going to the dentist. You just dread going.' "
On this particular evening, the Silver Stars wanted no part of the heat wave that struck inside Arco Arena. For one of few times this season -- too few times, according to several of the grumpy, seasoned veterans -- the Monarchs inflicted pain and suffering by pressuring fullcourt, swarming underneath, forcing the pace, sharing the ball, and most importantly, attacking the smaller Silver Stars where it hurt most: on the interior, with the high/low schemes that in previous seasons have been so beneficial.
Rebekkah Brunson repeatedly put her head down and drove for layups, scored off short jumpers, or kicked outside to open teammates. Yolanda Griffith drew defenders and snatched nine rebounds. Adrian Williams tossed a couple of entry passes and scored inside during a crucial third-period stretch. Kara Lawson and Kristin Haynie aggressively drove the ball. Penicheiro established the aggressive tenor -- offensively and defensively -- with three quick steals and a jumper from the side. And Nicole Powell, matched against the smaller Helen Darling for most of the evening, responded with a career-playoff high 22 points, eight rebounds, and a friskiness that left her own mother shaking her head.
"I don't know why she waits so long to do this," Ruth Powell said, with a wry grin. "I haven't seen some of those moves since she was at Stanford. I'm just glad I got here in time to see it. It's expensive to travel (from Phoenix), so my husband and I flipped a coin. Heads wins every time. But I barely made it in time. I put on my makeup in the bathroom."
Any particular move impress her most?
"The spinning drive to the basket," her mother continued. "But there were others, too."
There were layups, floaters, step-throughs and jumpers from the wings. There was a momentum-setting three-pointer late, nifty passes throughout, and a flurry of points that enabled the Monarchs to regain their rhythm after the Silver Stars had overcome a 13-point deficit and tied the game with 26 seconds remaining in the opening half. As fans squirmed in their seats, fearing another of those fatal offensive lulls that plagued the Monarchs during the regular season, Powell, who has transformed her once chunky frame into a powerful 6-foot-3, 175-pound presence, immediately responded with a driving layup, then swiped a defensive rebound and scored two of her nine free throws to stretch the lead at intermission.
In the opening minutes of the third quarter, she added four more free throws, and eventually, the spinning post move favored by her mother.
"We talked about it before the game," explained Penicheiro. "Helen Darling is a great defensive guard, but we have to take advantage of Nicole in the post. She can do so many things. And when she plays like this -- when we play like this -- this is how we are. We just have to keep doing it."
Their task, of course, becomes more difficult with the best-of-three series moving to San Antonio for Game 2 Saturday. Nonetheless, if they can sustain this level of energy, effort and overall cohesion, they could atone for what most of the players have judged to be a disappointing closing weeks of the season. It wasn't merely the won-loss record that was so bothersome. Mainly, it was the fact that the Monarchs no longer resembled the Monarchs. The harassing defense was absent. The pace was laborious, the inside game nonexistent. Furthermore, the players appeared increasingly frustrated, at times confused, perhaps even overwhelmed.
"This is who we are," Penicheiro insisted, stubbornly.
Time will tell if they truly remember.
About the writer: Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@ sacbee.com