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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July 01, 2007

Griffith gets OK to play

Good news for the Monarchs coming out of Arco Arena today as center Yolanda Griffith started tonight's game against visiting Minnesota. Doctors previously did not clear Griffith to play Friday because of swelling in her neck because of a strained clavicle.

Griffith said there still is some swelling, which is causing pressure in her back and chest, but after discussing her options with team doctors she was cleared to play.

"The only problem is when I get hit it's going to pinch," Griffith said before the game. "You have to try to avoid getting hit, but you can't avoid that in basketball."

With Griffith back in the lineup, the Monarchs have a better shot at sending their coaching staff to the All-Star Game on July 15 in Washington.

San Antonio defeated Detroit 71-68 earlier today, meaning the Monarchs have to win tonight to give coach Jenny Boucek the honor of coaching the Western Conference All-Stars.

- Melody Gutierrez

Posted by Ahmed Ortiz, July 1, 2007 06:56 PM

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