Illawarra ready to reach higher level in pursuit of title: Ogilvy

We have another gear to go to.

The last two games against the Kings have been great battles, decided in overtime and the final seconds.

But we believe there is a higher level the Hawks can find in the playoffs and hopefully we can reach that on Friday night.

As a group, the Hawks have learned a lot about delivering in the big moments, the overtime loss made us sharper and the win on Sunday made us work harder.

We started really well, with Justinian Jessup scoring 15 points in the first quarter, but after that we didn't execute as well as would have liked.

Ian Clark has the shot to win the game with a three, only for his foot to touch the sideline, but it shows we'll need our best to make the grand final.

Firstly, this semi-final series is a chance for us to make the most of our home court.

During the run of home games earlier in the season, the Hawks were still adjusting and working out how to put all the pieces in place.

It was only when faced with a stretch of games on that road that we unlocked the potential in this team.

We've faced the Kings and beaten them with a crowd of more than 12,000 in attendance, so let's make the most of it, pack out the WIN Entertainment Centre and feed off the energy of the Hawks fans.

There was plenty of emotion on Sunday, we saw it as the players exchanged words at the end of the game.

Guys are yapping at each other and doing the 'hold me back, hold me back' stuff, but we know no-one is going to fight on a basketball court.

It looked a lot worse than it was. It just speaks of the passion in this rivalry, neither team wants to take a backward step, it's really elite.

But there is a different intensity at the Hawks this season.

Last year, when the Illawarra rebuild began, we were so happy to reach playoffs and show we had a lot of talent.

This time, we've beaten every team in the league, which is what you have to do to win a championship.

We know the opportunity in front of us and we will be determined to take it.