Jeff Lisath Playing Days

 Jeff Lisaths’ playing career

High school: Portsmouth High School, Portsmouth, Ohio

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Freshman Year 1975: Jeff became the first freshman in school history to play in a varsity basketball game scoring 4pts and grabbing 2 rebounds vs #1 ranked Class AAA Middletown.

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Sophomore Year 1976: Jeff became a starter on the varsity averaging 17.5 points per game 

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Junior Year 1977: Jeff led the Trojans in scoring and rebounding 21.5 points per game and 9.5 rebounds per game. Jeff was named 1st Team All-Tri-State Athletic Conference; 1st Team All-County, 1st Team All-District; and 3rd Team Class AAA All-Ohio by the Associated Press. Jeff was named one of the top five Juniors in Ohio and one of the top underclassmen in the U.S. by the Louisville Courier-Journal, in addition to appearing in several College Prep Basketball Magazines.

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Senior Year 1978: Jeff led the Trojans in scoring averaging 21.7 points per game 8.2 rebounds per game and 5.2 assists. Named 1st Team All-Tri-State Athletic Conference; 1st Team All-County; 1st Team All-District; 2nd Team Class AA-All-Ohio by the Associated Press.; Portsmouth Times Player of the Year; County Player of the Year; ; Class AA State Champion and State Tournament MVP.
 
School Records: Most Games With 30 or More Points by A Single Player tied for 2nd (5) 1977/1978; Most Points in a Regional Tournament: (48) tied with Craig Tubbs; Most points in a Tournament run 159 2nd (8) games; Most points in State Championship game (22); tied with Clem Hartley; Most points during Final-Four State Tournament 40; Scored 1256 Career points (Top 10) despite missing six games due to ankle injury.

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*Only player to be inducted into the Portsmouth High School Hall of Fame three times:
1. All-Ohio Basketball Player; 2. 1978 State Championship Team (player) 3. 1988 State Championship Team (Asst. Coach)

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College: Miami University, Oxford, Ohio

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Freshman Year 1978-1979: Played in 24 of 27 games, and went from a high school forward to an NCAA D1 college backup PG. Shot 72% from the FT line and received a Letter for game appearances and minutes played. Best game vs the University of Cincinnati 10 points, 4 rebs, and vs Central Michigan 10 points and 5 assists. Recognized by the media for guarding Jim Paxon, University of Dayton's top scorer who was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers, 1st round (12th pick, 12th overall), 1979 NBA draft.

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Sophomore Year 1979-1980: Played in 26 of 27 games, and fought through an ankle injury all season. Averaged 3.1 ppg and 2.1 asst. Received a Letter and the Team Spirit Award for being courageous fighting through a nagging injury all season. Recognized by the media for guarding All-American Mike Woodson, Indiana Hoosiers in the season opener on 12/1/1979 at Assembly Hall and holding him under his previous season average, which was also under Mike’s ‘79-’80 season average as well.

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Junior Year 1980-1981: Played in all 27 games, became a full-time starter and moved from PG to SG. Best statistical season of his career 7.9 ppg and 4.3 rebs, while being assigned to guard the opponent's best player (regardless of size) which resulted in Jeff receiving the Top Defensive Player of the Year Award. Jeff also received his third Letter and was recognized in several newspaper articles for his defensive prowess. Best games vs California Irvine 19 points, 9 assists; vs the University of Dayton scoring 11 points (including the game-winner), eight rebounds, and five assists; vs Kent State 17 points and 10 Rebounds; Hit buzzer-beater to beat Xavier University 74-73.

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Senior Year 1981-1982: Named Team Captain and starter while playing in all 27 games and receiving his fourth Letter. Jeff moved from SG to SF while continuing to receive the top defensive assignments. Received the Marshall North Award which is presented to the player who best exemplifies the virtue of loyalty to the University, team, and coaches and whose personal sacrifice of time, effort, and energy contributes materially to the advancement of the team. Best games vs Bowling Green 16 points; Central State 12 points; and Ohio University 12 points.

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*Attended undrafted NBA Mini-Camps and NBA Summer League tryouts 1982-1984 (Washington Bullets and New Jersey Nets)