No one has been with the Silver Stars franchise longer than Marie Ferdinand-Harris. In fact, Ferdinand-Harris was with the Silver Stars before they were even the Silver Stars.

Bob Owen | Contributor

San Antonio-Sacramento breakdown SEASON SERIES: 2-2 BEST MATCHUP: Becky Hammon vs. Ticha Penicheiro. In a ball-control league like the WNBA, point-guard play often tells the tale. That trend will continue in this first-round series, considering Hammon and Penicheiro — both experienced veterans — are two of the best point guards the league has to offer. BIGGEST MISMATCH: Rebekkah Brunson vs. Silver Stars forwards. In four meetings with the Silver Stars this season, Brunson averaged 11.5 points and 12 rebounds per game. The Silver Stars’ two starting forwards, meanwhile, averaged nine rebounds combined. Needless to say, keeping Brunson off the glass is imperative for the Silver Stars. KEY STAT: Two, as in consecutive WNBA Finals appearances for the Monarchs, including a title in 2005. When it comes to playoff experience, the Monarchs have an unquestionable edge. HOW THE SILVER STARS WIN: Let Hammon do her thing. In four games against the Monarchs this season, Hammon averaged 15.5 points per game. She only scored in single digits once during those four games, which, not so coincidentally, resulted in a 17-point Sacramento victory. HOW THE MONARCHS WIN: Limit fouls. When the Monarchs foul, the Silver Stars typically make them pay, as evidenced by their 86 percent clip from the free-throw line against Sacramento. For the Monarchs, the plan is simple: Make the Silver Stars earn every point. THE 210 TAKE: The Monarchs have appeared in five of the last six WNBA Western Conference finals, but history can only take you so far. The Silver Stars are a revitalized team this season, and as far as the 2007 campaign is concerned, they are also the better of the two teams. PREDICTION: Silver Stars in 3 CLINT HALE | 210SA

Did you ever imagine the day when the Silver Stars would finally reach the playoffs?
It's something we've waited on for five years now, and something we've waited on for a long time. For us to go from being the team that only wins like eight games to a team that might win 20 this season, it's a huge turnaround ..... It's an awesome feeling to go from being a fifth-, sixth- or seventh-place team in the West to competing for a first-place spot.

You took off last season for maternity leave with the birth of your son, Cedrick Michael Harris Jr. Did you contemplate giving up basketball at that point?
It was never in my plans to give it up. I thought I'd have my son and work out, just bust my butt to get back and help make it into the playoffs. The goal for us (going into the season) was to get into the playoffs because once you get in the playoffs, you never know what will happen. I never got to a point where I thought, “This is it. I don't want to play anymore.” I couldn't wait to get back on the team, seeing (the players) they picked up.

How hard was it getting back into shape after the birth of your son?
It was hard, but I had a great trainer, and my husband (Cedrick Harris) helps me, so I was able to get it done. It was not easy, but you just have to be disciplined and self-motivated.

You're a former first-round WNBA draft pick, and your husband won three national titles with the LSU baseball team. Is it safe to assume your son will be a star athlete as well?
People say that, but we like to add that whatever he decides to be, he'll be good at it. We'll support him, whether it's sports or a doctor or whatever. The most important thing is to teach (him) good life lessons that he needs to know for him to be a man of integrity and character. That's more important than sports, but if he does decide to play, with his genes, I'm sure he'll be great at it.
What do you do in the WNBA offseason? It sounds like a lot of women basketball players go overseas to play.

Most of the time I go overseas. But this past offseason, I mostly stayed home and worked on getting back in shape, though I did go over and play the second-half (of the season) in France, and it's definitely a beautiful place. That's the beauty of women's basketball, playing in the WNBA and during the offseason, we have opportunities to go play in Europe. How awesome is that? And you get paid to do it.

On the flipside, was living in Utah as bad as some might imagine?
Actually, Utah wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. We had great attendance, and people were really into it. It was good for the summertime, and the Jazz players always supported us. It was an awesome place to play.

And then you moved to San Antonio.
I was excited, but at the same time, I was sad to leave. People in Utah came and just fell in love with the team, but at the same time, I was looking forward to relocating to San Antonio. I heard so much about it and how energetic the people there were about basketball.

Who is the favorite to win the WNBA title this season?
San Antonio. I think we have all the pieces, and we're definitely focused. Having gotten where we're at now, there's no telling, but it's there for us. I don't think there's a team you can just solely point at and say they're going to win because it's open. There are a lot of quality teams out there competing for a championship. We are one of those teams.
 
CLINT HALE | 210SA