Randall Stars, Manek Unleashed

Photo: Craig Randall drives to the rim for Adelaide (Credit - Perth Wildcats Media)

The Perth Wildcats unleashed Brady Manek as he showed a glimpse into what he will provide this season, but Craig Randall lit it up for the Adelaide 36ers with the 'Cats winning a 97-91 Sunday thriller.

Perth might have ended up winning by six points with seven players scoring in double-figures led by 15 from Manek, but Adelaide gave them a scare late with Randall catching fire on his way to 29 for the game, including five triples.

The Wildcats and 36ers were playing their second game of the weekend out west in their first pre-season hit outs ahead of NBL23 and before the Blitz gets underway this coming Friday in Darwin.

Perth won the first game on Friday night 98-87 at Eaton Recreation Centre, before both teams made the trek up to Joondalup in the north of Perth to battle at HBF Arena on Sunday afternoon.

The teams took plenty out of that clash on Friday south of Perth and then on Sunday it was an offensive explosion from the Wildcats as they put up 34 points in the first quarter, and then 29 in the second to go into half-time leading 63-45.

Putting up 63 points even if it is a pre-season game would be exciting for new coach John Rillie, while the Sixers settled into their work in the second half. While the 'Cats still won the game, CJ Bruton's men would take plenty from winning the second half 46 points to 34.

While imports Bryce Cotton (13 points, five assists) and TaShawn Thomas (10 points, four assists) were again impressive for the Wildcats, as was NBA draftee Luke Travers (12 points, four boards, four steals), Perth would have been especially excited by what new import Manek delivered.

The former North Carolina Tar Heels standout pulled on a Wildcats uniform for the first time and wasted no time showing his shooting touch once he hit the floor midway through the opening quarter.

He went on to score 15 points to go with five rebounds, while shooting six-of-eight inside the arc as well. He might have missed all seven of his three-point attempts, but that will come as he finds his groove.

Photo: Brady Manek was impressive in his first game for Perth (Credit - Perth Wildcats Media)

Thomas also suffered a scare when he rolled his ankle when attacking the basket. He ended up out the exit door afterwards too, but the Wildcats don't expect it to keep him sidelined for long.

Mitch Norton finished with 12 points and four rebounds as well for Perth, Corey Webster 11 points, six boards and three assists, Michael Harris 10 points and three rebounds, and Todd Blanchfield nine points and four boards.

It was another encouraging hit out for the Sixers as well, who have an NBLxNBA tour following the Blitz before their NBL season gets underway, and they were once again without key pair Robert Franks and Anthony Drmic.

Randall looked terrific and showed why he looks likely to be one of the standout guards in the NBL this season. He finished with 29 points, eight rebounds and four assists while hitting five-of-12 from long-range.

Captain Mitch McCarron also had 12 points, six assists and four rebounds for the Sixers, Daniel Johnson 11 points and three boards, Antonius Cleveland 10 points, nine rebounds and five assists, and Kai Sotto eight points and three boards.

Both teams will now gear up for the NBL Blitz in Darwin with the 36ers first up in action on Friday night against the South East Melbourne Phoenix. The Wildcats will first play the Cairns Taipans on Saturday night.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL PRE-SEASON

PERTH WILDCATS 97 (Manek 15, Cotton 13, Norton 12, Travers 12)
ADELAIDE 36ERS 91 (Randall 29, McCarron 12, Johnson 11) 

BOX SCORE