Monarchs Blog and Q&A

Bee staff writer Melody Gutierrez grew up in Twentynine Palms. At 14-years-old, she decided to combine her two passions -- sports and writing -- when she became a special assignments reporter for the Desert Trail, her hometown weekly newspaper. Melody headed to Northern California in 2000 to attend Chico State and has remained in the region ever since. She earned an internship with The Bee and subsequently became a staff writer in 2004 and has covered virtually every sport, starting with high schools, up through college and then the pros. Melody took over coverage of the Monarchs last season and chronicled the team's pursuit of a second straight league championship -- a quest that fell just short.

Melody welcomes your questions and will answer as many as she can as the season progresses.

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April 27, 2007

Keeping an Idol watch on two Monarchs

If this was American Idol and I was asked to identify the bottom two players so far at Monarchs training camp, here is how I'd call it:

LaToya Bond is quick on the floor but lacks a certain oomph, with veteran Yolanda Griffith assessing: "I told her I'm going to have to bring her something for breakfast so she can have a little more energy!" Bond is in the difficult position of having to beat out some established players to earn a roster spot. Being shy or quiet is one thing, but Bond looks downright bored during drills the media are privy to.

Antionette Wells is in the bottom two, but not because of a lack of effort. Wells doesn't pick up plays very quickly and her movement through the plays has been awkward. Her timing was off during the first couple days of practice and appeared clumsy at times. However, Wells is the first to arrive at camp every day and the last to leave the court. She works with assistant coach Monique Ambers before and after practice to go over plays. Her hard work and eagerness to learn has made her a player that teammates are cheering for.

No one will be asked to leave Monarchs camp until mid-May, leaving plenty of time for others to fall into the bottom two. Of the 15 players who will report to training camp, two will be cut and two will be named to the inactive list.

Posted by tnegrete, April 27, 2007 03:29 PM

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