Last Updated on July 31, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Regular Season

PLAYER NAME ROLE TIER MPG USAGE TIER PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) IMPACT INDEX NOTES AWARDS
Yolanda Griffith Starter/Star (1.1) 32.1 High (1.2) 16.3 10.3 1.5 4.5 85.80 Everything still revolved around Griffith’s presence inside. Opposing coaches regularly built game plans around slowing her low-post scoring and defensive range, while league coverage continued to describe her as Sacramento’s emotional and tactical foundation despite increased defensive attention after her MVP season. (washingtonpost.com) All-WNBA Second Team (2000); WNBA All-Star (2000); WNBA Player of the Week (Aug. 7, 2000)
Ticha Penicheiro Starter/Star (1.1) 31.2 Medium (1.1) 6.9 3.0 7.9 2.5 49.73 Penicheiro remained the engine of Sacramento’s offense, constantly pushing tempo and creating passing angles that few guards attempted. Contemporary reports often highlighted how her vision unlocked teammates, even on nights when she wasn’t looking to score herself. (washingtonpost.com) All-WNBA First Team (2000); WNBA All-Star (2000)
Ruthie Bolton Starter/Star (1.1) 29.9 High (1.2) 13.1 3.7 2.0 1.2 52.48 Bolton embraced the toughest perimeter assignments while remaining Sacramento’s most aggressive wing scorer. Independent game coverage frequently pointed to her ability to spark scoring runs with confident shot-making and relentless competitiveness. (washingtonpost.com)
Tangela Smith Starter/Star (1.1) 28.9 Medium (1.1) 12.1 5.6 1.3 2.9 52.76 Smith evolved into an ideal complementary frontcourt piece, finishing around the basket while protecting the rim with her length. Preseason and in-season reporting repeatedly identified her as the club’s potential “X-factor” because of her expanding offensive role beside Griffith. (washingtonpost.com)
Kedra Holland-Corn Starter/Star (1.1) 29.2 Medium (1.1) 9.8 2.2 2.5 1.5 38.72 Rather than standing in the corner, Holland-Corn supplied valuable floor spacing and secondary scoring that opened room for Sacramento’s interior attack. Several game stories highlighted her timely perimeter shooting whenever defenses collapsed on Griffith. (washingtonpost.com)
Latasha Byears Key Contributor (1.05) 16.3 Low (1.0) 5.7 3.8 0.7 1.1 23.52 Byears filled an energy role, attacking the offensive glass and bringing physicality whenever the Monarchs needed extra frontcourt toughness. Her contributions usually came through hustle plays instead of designed scoring opportunities. (ESPN)
Stacy Clinesmith Bench (1.0) 11.0 Low (1.0) 2.5 1.2 1.9 0.5 12.20 Clinesmith provided steady ball movement and perimeter depth off the bench. Game coverage occasionally praised her ability to keep the offense organized during reserve stretches despite modest playing time. (ESPN)
Lady Grooms Key Contributor (1.05) 13.4 Low (1.0) 4.1 1.5 0.4 0.4 13.44 Grooms carved out minutes through defensive intensity and willingness to do the small jobs that rarely appeared in the box score. Contemporary independent reporting on her individual season remained limited.
Katy Steding Bench (1.0) 10.7 Low (1.0) 3.1 1.3 0.5 0.7 11.20 Steding’s primary value came as a veteran floor spacer who could stretch defenses in short bursts. Independent game reports occasionally noted her timely three-point shooting with the second unit. (ESPN)
Cindy Blodgett Bench (1.0) 6.7 Low (1.0) 2.6 0.5 0.2 0.5 7.60 Blodgett’s opportunities were limited, but she remained a shooting specialist capable of changing momentum with quick perimeter offense. Independent coverage of her season was sparse because of her reserve role.
Linda Burgess Bench (1.0) 8.2 Low (1.0) 2.4 3.4 0.4 0.2 12.80 Burgess served as experienced frontcourt depth, giving Sacramento dependable rebounding and physical minutes when called upon. Limited contemporary independent reporting was available for her brief appearances.
Rhonda Banchero Bench (1.0) 2.3 Low (1.0) 0.7 0.3 0.1 0.0 2.20 Banchero spent most of the year as deep frontcourt insurance after arriving to add size and experience. Independent season coverage focused more on her veteran presence than on-court production.
TEAM TOTALS 215.0 76.5 34.5 24.1 15.5 362.45 Sacramento paired Yolanda Griffith’s interior dominance with Ticha Penicheiro’s elite playmaking to finish 21-11 and secure another playoff berth. The Monarchs balanced physical interior play with an unselfish offense that consistently generated quality looks while remaining one of the Western Conference’s strongest defensive teams.

Playoffs

PLAYER NAME ROLE TIER MPG USAGE TIER PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) IMPACT INDEX NOTES AWARDS
Ruthie Bolton Starter/Star (1.1) 35.0 High (1.2) 19.5 4.5 3.5 2.0 77.09 Sacramento turned to Bolton as its primary perimeter scorer against Houston, and she attacked without hesitation despite drawing the Comets’ best wing defenders. Playoff coverage consistently noted that she kept the Monarchs competitive with aggressive shot creation while Houston concentrated its defense on the paint. (Fun While It Lasted) WNBA All-Star (2000)
Yolanda Griffith Starter/Star (1.1) 39.0 High (1.2) 14.5 12.0 1.0 1.0 74.45 Griffith remained the focal point inside, absorbing constant double teams while anchoring Sacramento’s rebounding and interior defense. Contemporary reports described Houston’s strategy as forcing difficult catches in the post, yet she still controlled the glass throughout the series. (Fun While It Lasted) All-WNBA Second Team (2000); WNBA All-Star (2000)
Ticha Penicheiro Starter/Star (1.1) 38.5 Medium (1.1) 8.0 3.5 7.0 2.0 49.25 Penicheiro continued orchestrating Sacramento’s offense with inventive passing, but Houston’s pressure disrupted transition opportunities and passing lanes. Series coverage emphasized how determined the Comets were to limit her ability to dictate tempo. (Fun While It Lasted) All-WNBA First Team (2000); WNBA All-Star (2000)
Tangela Smith Starter/Star (1.1) 29.5 Medium (1.1) 10.5 4.0 0.5 1.5 39.93 Smith filled a demanding complementary frontcourt role, defending multiple matchups while providing athletic finishing around the basket. Independent reporting highlighted her energy as Sacramento searched for secondary scoring behind its veteran leaders. (Fun While It Lasted)
Kedra Holland-Corn Starter/Star (1.1) 30.0 Medium (1.1) 9.5 4.0 3.0 1.5 43.56 Holland-Corn worked primarily as a floor spacer and secondary creator, but Houston’s disciplined perimeter defense forced difficult looks throughout the series. Even so, she remained an important outlet whenever Sacramento needed additional offensive balance.
Linda Burgess Bench (1.0) 8.0 Low (1.0) 4.0 2.0 0.0 2.0 16.00 Burgess made the most of limited frontcourt minutes by finishing efficiently and protecting the rim. Contemporary game-specific coverage of her reserve contributions was limited.
Lady Grooms Key Contributor (1.05) 11.5 Low (1.0) 1.5 1.0 0.0 0.0 5.25 Grooms entered to supply defensive effort and perimeter depth rather than offensive production. Independent reporting on her playoff role was minimal because of her limited minutes.
Katy Steding Bench (1.0) 5.0 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.5 0.5 0.0 2.00 Steding was used briefly as a veteran reserve to provide spacing and steady decision-making, although opportunities were scarce in a tightly contested series. Limited independent coverage was available for her appearances.
Stacy Clinesmith Bench (1.0) 1.5 Low (1.0) 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.00 Clinesmith saw only short reserve stretches, making an immediate impact with efficient perimeter shooting before returning to the bench. Contemporary playoff reporting devoted little attention to her limited role.
Latasha Byears Bench (1.0) 6.0 Low (1.0) 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.5 3.00 Byears was deployed for physical defensive possessions and rebounding rather than scoring. Her playoff minutes were brief, and independent coverage of her individual performance was limited.
TEAM TOTALS 204.0 67.5 33.0 18.0 10.5 313.53 Sacramento pushed the defending champion Comets with disciplined defense and veteran leadership, but Houston’s playoff experience and ability to disrupt the Monarchs’ offensive rhythm proved decisive over the two-game series.