When these two teams last met, it was a bevy of youngsters leading the way, the Thunder riding on the coat tails of a bunch of juniors all the way to a victory.  Tonight - as usual - we have no idea who's playing and only time will tell.  Futures though are ready now, have played well in the past and will no doubt play well in the future too.  Two teams enter, one team leave.  With no further adieu, we present to you Gateway v Futures Pioneers.

LAST FIVE GAMES HEAD-TO-HEAD
18/5/2026: Gateway 76 (Brook 20, Jon.Smith 16, B.Sleep 14) d Futures Pioneers 54
16/2/2026: Gateway 51 (Brook 10, Penn 10, Vucetic 9) d Futures Pioneers 37
24/11/2025: Gateway 20 d Futures Pioneers 0
15/9/2025: Gateway 20 d Futures Pioneers 0
4/8/2025: Gateway 114 (Jon.Smith 40, Penn 22, Brook 17) d Futures Pioneers 77

LADDER
1. Gateway Thunder 11-2, 35pts, +158
4. Futures Pioneers 7-7, 28pts, +25

OUR PREDICTION
Predicting the Thunder's rotating roster has become a sport of its own in recent times but one thing is constant - that it's warmer in Alice Springs and you wouldn't survive in the nation's centre in merino fleece but we digress.  The Thunder have found form in recent weeks and are starting to take shape, albeit with a bevy of players seemingly taking turns for a night off.  Futures meanwhile have recovered from a slow start to the season and are well and truly in the mix for the title.  Who wins?  Basketball wins, every time.  Our tip?  Gateway by 5 points.  Let's hope so.  Exciting times, exciting times.