Chelsea Newton

Fall six times, get up seven.

The phrase is used so often it's become cliché, but no other adage sums up the Sacramento Monarchs 2008 season in fewer words.

With four rookies, injuries to major contributors such as DeMya Walker, Ticha Penicheiro, Rebekkah Brunson and Chelsea Newton and being without Yolanda Griffith for the first time since 1998, the Monarchs made it within a few points of the Western Conference Finals in a year that many in the League considered the talent in the West to be the best it's ever been.

"They had the heart of a champion, whether we ended with the ring or not," Coach Jenny Boucek said outside the Monarchs practice facility. "They've done things in a way that would make any parent or coach extremely proud -- and that's way more than just basketball."

This Monarchs team didn't define itself by wins and losses -- instead, its character was built through strong intra-team relationships, something usually seen in close-knit collegiate teams.

"Just the relationships I've built," forward Crystal Kelly said of her rookie highlight. "That's something I hear rarely happens in this league, and we really care about each other and we want to do well for one another."

The relationships forged a unity that overcame endless obstacles, particularly injury. But rather than dwell on what could have been, if the team hadn't incurred so many bumps and bruises along the way, Boucek sees a bright future and a team that made the most of what it was given.

Nicole Powell

"This team did all it could do and reached its potential," Boucek said as the team's bus rumbled behind her. "We have no regrets and that's what you want in life. But it's also very exciting going forward, because just getting healthy alone we feel like we're building a good foundation. And we've set ourselves up to have an exciting year next year."

After struggling to close out games in the beginning of the season, Boucek asked the team to look inward, to see what each individual could do better to help the whole. The product was the selflessness that left the Monarchs with floor burns and bruises consistently (see Chelsea Newton) and produced a team-high 25 assists in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals. The self-analysis also forced the rookies to relinquish their insecurities, and arguably nothing was more evident down the stretch than the rookies evolving into confident first-year contributors.

"They just showed great maturity all season long and gave us crucial minutes," guard Kara Lawson said. "They had a hunger to help this team and a hunger to kind of grow up as fast as they could, and they brought that to practice every day. I think we're excited about their future and what they're going to bring back to us next year."

The rookies benefitted from a coach who loves to teach the game and cares more about her team as people than as players, as well as outstanding veteran teammate role models.

Olympic gold medalist Kara Lawson not only led by example, leading the team with 16 points per game after the Olympic break, she routinely spoke up first during timeouts. While the coaching staff convened, Lawson cleared up defensive assignments, offensive opportunities and anything else that needed to be addressed.

A'Quonesia Franklin

Adrian Williams-Strong, who put together a quietly productive season of six points and five rebounds per outing, and Rebekkah Brunson, who still made the All-Defensive Second Team despite facing setbacks, helped develop the dynamic rookie post duo of Kelly and Laura Harper.

And Ticha Penicheiro, who produced her best offensive season in her 11th campaign, provided the on-court leadership and off-court direction that helped A'Quonesia Franklin gain confidence in herself and in her teammates.

As for Nicole Powell, she continued her ascent as one of the League's premier scorers. She increased her output in the postseason by averaging 18 points, six rebounds and nearly three assists against the San Antonio Silver Stars, while also showing off her knack for clutch performances in Game 3, as the Monarchs nearly upset their first-round foe.

"To me," Boucek said passionately. "The true definition of success is being your best. I don't know if there's a player on this team that didn't get to that point where their best was right now in their career. So to me, they should all be very proud. They've done things the right way, responded to everything in such a high-character way. In my book, that's a champion."

While it's never easy to say goodbye to Monarchs basketball for the fall, winter and spring, the future is promising. With the devotion that Boucek and her staff maintain, along with the work ethic the players pride themselves on, 2009 looks better than ever.