After seeing last season's WBBL Cup campaign wrecked by Covid-19, Lions guard Kennedy Leonard is looking for her side to lift the trophy at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, on Sunday.
London won both of the premier knockout competitions in the women's game - the WBBL Trophy and Play-offs - last season but failed to get out of the group stage of the Cup after being forced to forfeit their home game against Oaklands Wolves.
Kennedy is now looking to put that disappointment behind her when Lions meet Newcastle Eagles on Sunday: "One of our goals this year is to win everything we can, everything that’s put in front of us, and that includes the WBBL Cup final" she said.
"This is an opportunity to stamp our names officially this season on something in the WBBL and we don’t want to let that opportunity pass. A British-led team, with a few powerful imports, that’s a dream."
Leonard has led the Lions in assists (9.66) and steals (4.3) during their Cup run as well as averaging 16.33 points and 7.7 rebounds as Mark Clark's side have won their three games on the way to the final by an average of more than 23 points.
The 25-year-old is clearly excited about a season that has seen Lions pull off a stunning victory against French powerhouse Bourges as well as open their domestic campaign with 14 straight victories in all competitions:
"For me, this season has been eye-opening" he said. "I’ve gotten to play with the same incredible people who I won the WBBL Trophy and Play-off finals alongside last year, but we’ve added a few people who make us a better team and myself a better player and person."
If Leonard can repeat her performance against Eagles in last season's WBBL Play-off final, Lions fans are in for a treat as the GB-eligible point guard finished with 20 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds to record the first ever championship game triple-double.
The former Colorado University stand-out is excited to build on what has already been a successful campaign for Lions: "Although this season has been wild, and we aren’t even quite halfway through it, it has been rewarding beyond my wildest dreams. I don’t want it to stop now – none of us do – so expect more of the same with the WBBL Cup final on Sunday."
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