Victoria Carolyn Reynolds’ return to KPA from Portuguese club Club Esgueira has given the defending KBF Women’s Premier League champions a major boost as they prepare for the league final and their continental campaign.
The Kenya international brings experience and scoring power to a KPA side that is also strengthening its roster with the signing of 5ft 9in point guard Tonie Morgan from the Los Angeles Sparks.
Reynolds previously starred for KPA during the 2023 Africa Women’s Basketball League campaign, averaging 18.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. The two additions are expected to strengthen KPA’s bid to retain their domestic crown while preparing a squad capable of competing on the continental stage.
Coach Samuel Ocholla, however, wants his players to maintain their intensity and correct the mistakes exposed during their semifinal sweep of TH3 Swish. KPA booked their place in the final with a 3-0 series victory. They won 80-42 in the opener; 62-49 in Game Two and 83-42 in Game 3 at Makande Gymnasium on Saturday.
“We have to remain disciplined, continue working hard and improve on the areas where we have made mistakes,” Ocholla said. The champions are still waiting to know their opponents, with Stanbic Aces leading Equity Hawks 2-1 in the other best-of-five semifinal.
Stanbic won Game One 66-60, but Equity responded with a 70-37 victory in Game Two before the Aces reclaimed the advantage with a 56-53 win in Game Three after recovering from a 10-point halftime deficit.
Stanbic need one more victory to reach the final, while Equity must win the next game to force a decisive fifth encounter. Ocholla wants KPA to use the recess to sharpen their game and carry their semifinal momentum into the final without losing focus on the details that could determine the championship.
He will also have to manage his players’ workload, with KPA expected to compete at the Zone Five Championship later this month. Equity reached the semifinals after sweeping Zetech Sparks 2-0, winning 75-38 and 96-37, while Stanbic advanced after receiving walkovers against Eldonets Ladies.
