AfroBasket 2021: Reynolds eager to ball in Cameroon

When she boards that plane to Cameroon for the 2021 Women's Afrobasket due on September 17 to 26, Victoria Reynolds will be fulfilling her dream of walking in her father's, 'Big' Ben Wanjara of representing her country at the highest continental basketball event there is. 

Reynolds, little known in the country before she joined Kenya Lionesses for their training and eventually the trip to Kigali, Rwanda, lived up to her billing as she helped the women's national team clinch the elusive FIBA Zone Five title, dethroned Egypt in a show if grit and sheer determination. 

Before receiving her first call up to the national team, Reynolds on her holiday to Kenya in 2019 had joined her uncle, then the Lionesses head coach Ronnie Owino in a training session with the team that was preparing for Afrobasket qualifiers held in Uganda. 

By her own admission, she did not know what to expect then but had a good session with the squad and started following Lionesses progress since. When the call came to join the 2021 Afrobasket squad, she answered and was in Kenya early enough to begin non-residential training with the provisional squad. 

"We started off the tournament shaky against Rwanda but we adjusted and that's how we came strong against Egypt. I am just ready to go to Cameroon," said an excited Reynolds.

Kenya lost the first match against Rwanda 77-45, registering Kenya's first loss to the host nation in the Zone Five championship. They had a redemption match against South Sudan who were making their debut at the Zone Five qualifiers, winning 66-48. 

A flash of brilliance and a second half to forget against Egypt in the final group match saw Kenya surrender a 25-point lead at half time to go down by a painful half a basket in a 107-106 outcome.

George Mayienga's charges had, however, just proved to themselves they got it within themselves to play some beautiful basketball and win with that first half performance against Egypt in that match. Lionesses came back for the knockout stages baying for blood and blood they got. First up was Rwanda who were put to the sword with a 52-79 defeat and then came the championship match against Egypt. 

Lionesses led from the first whistle and held on, even when Egypt threatened to overturn their lead, Mayienga's charges maintained a high level of composure, pulled back the lead by a subtle display on defense and precision on attack. When the final horn sounded at 99-73, Lionesses where sprawled on the floor some kneeling in prayer, most in tears, tears of joy as tears of distraught reigned on the Pharaohs bench. 

"Having lost to them (Egypt) in the group matches, we just scouted, watched film, we adjusted and made the changes that we needed to and came out strong. We knew we could beat them so we just stayed true to ourselves, played our game and we're successful," the William and Mary University graduate offered. 

Lionesses beat Egypt to be crowned FIBA Zone Five champions

Lionesses produced two players in the best five of the tournament, Reynolds bagging the small forward accolade while Felmas Koranga was named the best power forward. The Most Valuable Player (MVP) accolade also comes home with Reynolds. 

"It was a very competitive tournament for me being my first time here. I hope to come back and win again. I am happy I got MVP on my first go. The feeling hasn't hit me yet. To the people in Kenya, if you doubted us, well you shouldn't have and for those who supported us, thank you and we will make you proud in Cameroon," she concluded her interview at the sidelines of Lionesses celebrations at the Kigali Arena.