THE FINAL preseason matches for the National Basketball League (NBL) are underway, with the Adelaide 36ers getting the job done over the NBL1 South Select team when they locked horns at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre on Thursday night.

The Select team was made up of some of the strongest performers in the NBL1 South Men’s competition for 2025, and had the chance to showcase their skills against an Adelaide side that is hoping to truly compete for the NBL title in season 2025/26.

With the fixture set to begin next week, the Sixers did well in their final tune up before their campaign kicks off, defeating the Select team by 17 points despite missing some big names in Bryce Cotton, Montrezl Harrell and Isaac Humphries.

Adelaide 36ers (99) def. NBL1 South Select (82)

It was an exciting start to the contest, with the Select team showing they were up for the fight against the Sixers in the opening minutes of the game. Lachlan Barker dropped six quick points after a strong season in the South competition to keep his side in it, before Adelaide broke away late to lead by six points at quarter time as it began to look like regularly scheduled programming.

The second quarter saw the Select team come out firing, putting up their most productive patch of form for the match and show just how much talent emerges from the competition. Although Adelaide was firing as well and looking ominous offensively despite missing some firepower on that side of the ball, the NBL1 side dropped 28 points in the second frame, keeping the margin at five points at the main change in an engrossing battle.

The third frame proved the defining patch of play, with the Sixers truly putting the foot down to take full control of the contest and show their class. It was a clinical performance from Adelaide, with all five starters playing a key role as the Sixers broke away with a 25-9 third quarter showing, showing why they have the depth to match their star power. At the final change, the NBL heavyweights led by 19 points and had truly put the game to bed.

With Adelaide somewhat taking the foot off the accelerator in fourth quarter, it was a more even contest to close out the match. The South Select team did not drop their heads and allowed all of their players to see some court time in a strong finish to the game, dropping 27 points in the last 10 minutes, but the Sixers still managed to claim a hefty win.

It was a stirring performance from Adelaide’s backcourt, with the trio of Flynn Cameron, Dejan Vasiljevic and Isaac White all starring in the win. Cameron set the tone early with 12-first quarter points including two shots from long range, and although he was much quieter in the second half, still finished with 17 points.

Vasiljevic was captain for the match, and worked his way into the contest as the game went on, finishing with 18 points, while White was efficient, nailing eight of his 12 attempts from the field to post 18 points of his own.

Barker was far and away the standout for the Select Team, doing his chances of an NBL return no harm with 25 points while knocking down five triples on nine attempts, while Jonathan Lawton had 13 points and seven rebounds in a solid outing as well.