‘This group is pretty special to coach’: Chris Lucas lauds WNBL grand final-bound Adelaide Lightning

Adelaide Lightning coach Chris Lucas has told his team to believe anything is possible and “play hard and have a crack at it” as it prepares to come up against Canberra in the WNBL grand final series.

Adelaide Lightning players celebrate their semi-final clean sweep against Melbourne Boomers at Titanium Security Arena. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

• Final chapter in Cinderella story awaits

Adelaide Lightning coach Chris Lucas has told his team to believe anything is possible and “play hard and have a crack at it” as it prepares to come up against Canberra in the WNBL grand final series.

The Lightning made its first grand final since its last championship season in 2007-08 by eliminating Melbourne 100-92 in their semi-final on Thursday night.

Adelaide Lightning players celebrate their semi-final clean sweep against Melbourne Boomers at Titanium Security Arena. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

It will now travel to Canberra to play the UC Capitals on Saturday, February 9 before hosting game two at Adelaide Arena on Wednesday, February 13. Game three if required will be in Canberra on Saturday, February 16.

“We’re in finals mode and I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved with a lot of them so I can help prepare them,” Lucas said.

“I want them to be excited and enjoy it because they’ve earnt the right to be there.

“But this team is very, very good at getting ready for games and I’m pretty excited about where that can take us.

“This team is so good to coach, they keep me grounded and I get in trouble every now and then, but there’s just a really good balance.

Congrats @AdelLightning - you all deserve this and it’s been great to see you all show that fight, grit and determination.

Only one more step and you can enjoy the feeling of calling yourselves Champions!#LetsGoLightening #WNBL

— Mitchell Creek (@CreekMitchell) January 31, 2019

“And our two leaders Nic (Nicole Seekamp) and Steph (Blicavs) bring a different dynamic to the group, we can enjoy a couple of days but we’re going to play hard and have a crack at it.

“Anything can happen in finals and I think we’ve proven that. We get an opportunity to play at least one more game here, so we’ll prepare to play in Canberra and that’s as tough as anywhere.”

Adelaide led by 12 points with three minutes to play on Thursday night then held their nerve as the Boomers got to within five.

“I knew that was going to be an arm-wrestle and at some point one team was going to crack and I felt like we kept the pressure on the scoreboard,” Lucas said.

“And our execution in the last quarter was really good. At times we’ve broken down in the last quarters but our decision making was so good.

“I am super proud of the team and we’ll enjoy a couple of days and get back into it on Monday.”

Nia Coffey on the drive. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Lucas also lauded the selflessness of his team with co-captain Seekamp finishing with 12 assists on Thursday and star import Nia Coffey opting to stay on the bench late in game one last Sunday.

“This group is pretty special to coach, and I’m not just saying that,” he said.

“We had a situation last week where one of our players I was going to put back in in the last quarter, and she said ‘no coach, the other person is doing well’, and I’ve never heard that from an import ever — and that probably outlines the dynamics of the team.

“That was a solid team effort, a grind, momentum swings and high-scoring and I’m super excited for the team because we’ve worked hard.”

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