Harper helps Monarchs win their season opener

For Laura Harper, opening night became graduation day. All that was missing was a cap and gown.

"My mother and grandmother flew out from Philadelphia – 3,000 miles – so I'm so happy," the Monarchs rookie post player said. "I'm going to miss my (college) graduation next week because my team needs me, so they came here to watch me instead. It just made it more special."

The Monarchs' first-round draft pick made a confident debut Saturday night in Sacramento's 73-64 win over the San Antonio Silver Stars at Arco Arena in both teams' season opener.

Breaking a string of six opening-night sellouts, an announced crowd of 16,225 turned out to see the rebuilding Monarchs. Without longtime post players Yolanda Griffith (now with Seattle) or DeMya Walker (out with more knee surgery), Sacramento gave the ball to the youngsters and let them run.

"We need our rookies to play well," Monarchs coach Jenny Boucek said. "They were nervous, which is to be expected, but they worked very hard … and they came through."

Harper, a 6-foot-5 center-forward out of Maryland and 2006 Final Four Most Outstanding Player, scored 10 points to go with five rebounds and two blocks.

"With all the hype and excitement, I'm actually glad it's over," Harper said. "Now I can just focus on what I need to do."

Setting an example for Harper, veterans Adrian Williams-Strong and Rebekkah Brunson – both fighting colds – took care of the middle while pacing the Monarchs' offense and defense. They combined for 23 points and 16 rebounds, including a game-high nine boards by Brunson.

"I'm OK – I just can't breathe," said Williams-Strong, who scored 13 points. "I had so much nervous energy before the game, Coach said to channel it. So, I went out there like a woman possessed.

"We put expectations on ourselves," she added. "(League experts) picked us next to last in the West. They say, 'Yo left, DeMya's not here. We're doomed!' That's our motivation."

Nicole Powell scored 13 points, including three three-pointers.

Also gaining experience were rookie guards A'Quonesia Franklin and Charel Allen. Both saw significant minutes with veterans Chelsea Newton (groin strain) and Scholanda Robinson (knee) not suiting up for the opener.

A 5-foot-4 guard out of Texas A&M, Franklin ran the offense for two long stretches and showed her tenacity on defense.

"I certainly had butterflies in my stomach," Franklin said, "but it felt good to be out there."

Leading San Antonio was Sophia Young, who topped all scorers with 22. Becky Hammon and former Monarch Erin Buescher each scored 11.

"This is my home," Buescher said. "I played here in high school, my family is here. It's really nice to be back. It's always a bittersweet thing to come back to Sacramento."

Sacramento jumped out to a 7-0 lead. Leading by as many as 10 points, the Monarchs liberally used their rookies as Boucek let her young team build work experience.

But this was a rematch of last season's playoffs, when San Antonio ousted the Monarchs in three games. The Silver Stars took the lead twice in the second quarter before the Monarchs reasserted themselves for a 41-35 halftime lead.

"Our rotations are really out of whack," Boucek said. "I'll take responsibility for some of those runs (by San Antonio), just not knowing what to expect from the rookies."

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