Some athletes feign ignorance as to their statistics, coming off as modest while secretly tracking their numbers down to seconds played.

But when told of Monarchs records she is close to surpassing, Nicole Powell is genuinely taken aback by the notion her career-best 2009 will go down as one of the best offensive seasons in team history.

"Franchise history?" Powell said. "Wow. OK."

Don't mistake Powell's response for arrogance or lack of appreciation for the game. It's just that she really doesn't get wrapped up in statistics, especially in the midst of a season.

Powell needs 23 points over the final two games to surpass Yolanda Griffith's team record of 545 points in a season, set in 1999. Nineteen more field goals would give Powell 201, breaking Griffith's mark of 200 from 1999.

Powell already owns the team record for most three-pointers in season with 78 in 2008. With seven more threes, she'd break that record. Not to mention her 187 consecutive games played is the league's longest active streak, and that she set a WNBA record by making 47 consecutive free throws this season.

And by the way, Powell has also made 57 consecutive free throws at home, last missing from the foul line at Arco Arena on July 24, 2008.

Those are lofty marks for Powell, who was named to her first All-Star Team this season and is averaging a career-high 16.3 points, which would be the fifth-highest in team history. But she won't enter tonight's game against San Antonio looking to set any records. After all, she wasn't even aware she was so close to breaking any records.

"This is the first I've heard of it," Powell said. "I'm really trying to get through San Antonio, to tell you the truth. Maybe one day I can think about it, but right now I'm trying to win these last two games."

Powell worked to improve in the offseason, as she always does, given what Powell calls her "limitations as an athlete." That meant studying the game and working to improve her flexibility.

But her big season was born of necessity.

She emerged as an elite scorer because, unlike in past seasons, the Monarchs' offense did not center on post play. It had been that way since Powell arrived via trade from Charlotte in 2005, when Griffith was the team's leader.

This season, Rebekkah Brunson and DeMya Walker were working their way back into shape from knee injuries, so Powell became the primary offensive option.

"As those things change, we all have become a different team every year," Powell said. "That's just kind of been my role."

Monarchs coach and general manager John Whisenant said Powell's progression is a result of her diligence to improve aspects of her game every offseason. And as he looks to retool the Monarchs and return them to the playoffs, Powell has cemented her spot as a key to the franchise.

"I think Nicole sees this as a profession," Whisenant said. "She's got a short window here of five or six more years. And like I've said before, Nicole and Brunson at 27 give us a three and a four we can build around."

Powell's 2009 season will prove to be one of the best in Sacramento history, but she nevertheless remains unfazed by her stats. After all, there's still San Antonio to prepare for.

"I've never really thought about goals in that sense," Powell said. "But it's all good. It's what happens when you play for a team for a few years. You're going to work your way up there a little bit."