Two games into his NBL playoff career and Perth Wildcats import Kevin Lisch has built a reputation as the go to man as he helped the 'Cats into their first Grand Final series in seven years.
Tuesday's four-point victory on the Gold Coast hands the Wildcats the series over the Blaze 2-0 and after winning their first minor premiership since 1995, now sees the 'Cats enter the Grand Final series for the first time since losing to the Sydney Kings in 2002/03.
A win in the Grand Final series that starts in Perth on Friday March 5 will give the Wildcats a fifth championship, the most of any NBL franchise. Game 2 will be either in Wollongong or Townsville on Tuesday March 9 and if necessary, Game 3 back in The Jungle on Friday March 12.
Lisch came to the Wildcats this season as the import shooting guard out of St Louis University where he had a good career with the Billikens, and he had a good debut professional season that included game-winning performances against Melbourne and Townsville.
His playoff efforts so far have been brilliant.
In Game 1 of the semi-final series with the Gold Coast Blaze at Challenge Stadium last Thursday, Lisch led the way offensively with 19 points on 5-of-10 shooting and did well guarding Blaze sharpshooter James Harvey.
He had the job again on Harvey in Tuesday night's Game 2 on the Gold Coast and while Harvey hit a game-high 28 points, Lisch hit his shots when it mattered. He finished with 18 points for the game, including 4-of-7 from beyond the three-point line.
Showing that he loves the pressure with the game on the line, 11 of Lisch's 18 points came in the final period including a massive three that helped secure the win, and he couldn’t be happier.
"We knew that they were going to make a run at us, but we just kept on playing, kept our composure and a couple of shots went down," Lisch said.
"I cannot be happier right now."
Lisch has shown the capacity to hit big shots all season long, but now doing it in the playoffs takes a special type of character and he never had any doubts about firing them up.
"I think they are (some of the biggest shots of career). That last one was certainly one of the bigger ones and you know it's fun," he said.
"Everyone remembers if you make them and nobody remembers if you miss, so what the heck."
The game was the reversal of the two regular season meetings at the Gold Coast Convention Centre where the Wildcats were overrun both times to lose. This time they came back from a 15-point deficit in the last quarter and Lisch and his team always felt in the contest.
"We knew that they would throw everything at us and we did a good job of playing with poise and we came through in the end," he said.
"They are a great team though."
The Wildcats now await the winner of the Wollongong-Townsville series to see who they face in the Grand Final. The Hawks won Game 1 in Wollongong 87-68 and the second match is at The Swamp in Townsville on Wednesday.
If the Crocs win that, Game 3 will be Saturday night in Wollongong, but Lisch knows either opponent will be tough.
"I have no idea, I'm anxious to watch that second game between them though," he said.
"We are 2-2 with Wollongong and with Townsville 3-1, but they are both great teams and have different weapons. We'll just be waiting to see who we play now."
