NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 6 – USA-based Victoria Reynolds showed her class in Kigali, clinching the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and best small forward as national champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) reclaimed the Africa Zone Five title, and qualified for the Africa Women’s Basketball League.
Reynolds was playing for KPA in the Zone Five for the third straight season, and she played a crucial role as the dockers earned a continental slot. She was also named in the tournament’s dream team alongside centre Madina Okot.
The 19-year old Okot rejoined KPA on a short term deal from Zetech for the tournament and was also named best rebounder.
In the final against Rwanda’s Energy Group (REG), KPA were in a class of their own as they edged out the hosts, enjoying home court support, with an 87-53 score.
Skipper Natalie Akinyi starred in the final with a double-double, sinking 13 points while giving 17 assists for the win.
Okot, who played 37.30 minutes, contributed 22 points but her presence was felt more on rebounds as she pulled down a game-high 27. Reynolds scored 23 as Morgan Taylor added a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Rosine Mcomyiza led the scores with 24, her efforts, however, went uncomplimented by any of her teammates as none hit double digits in points.
The Dockers jumped to a 14-07 lead in the opening five minutes, adding 8 more in the remaining part of the quarter to lead 22-16, showing their intent early.
A second quarter score of 22-14 for the Kenyan side saw them carry a 14-point advantage to the halftime break, leaving coach Esperance Mukaneza’s work cut out if the home side stood any chance at a maiden title.
However, Ojukwu, whose side lost the Zone Five title to Egypt’s Alexandria Sporting last year, had other ideas as his charges remained relentless in their fight, winning the third quarter 18-13 for a 62-43 scoreline heading to the final period.
Despite a home fanbase that cheered to every basket that REG scored in their attempt for a comeback, KPA remained unmoved, playing their biggest quarter yet in the final, to score 25-10 and condemn the Rwandese side to their first defeat of the 9-team championship.
Both KPA and REG have qualified for this year’s AWBL slated, tentatively for December 9 to 19 in Cairo, Egypt.
Meanwhile, Equity Hawks finished in third-place after edging out Uganda’s JKL Lady Dolphins 78-74 in the play-off.
-Additional information courtesy FIBA Africa
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