When Adam Stackman and Zac McNeill offered to fill in for the NSW men's 20-and-under side during their recent training session in Tamworth they never imagined where it would lead.
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They thought they were just coming over to provide a couple of extra bodies for their hit-out against a local Tamworth outfit.
Now the Manilla pair find themselves preparing to step out onto court for their state as they defend their national title in Melbourne.
They will join Tamworth's Brody Blackett-Gregg in blue after receiving what can only be described as a surprise call-up.
"We turned up and didn't really know it was a trial so we finished the game and our parents asked whether we could get a photo in the singlets," McNeill said.
"The coach Mark (Ireland) said I'd like the boys to keep their singlets and play with us."
It left them "gob-smacked", McNeill conceding that it still feels a bit surreal.
"I think it will finally sink in when we start playing," he said.
He and Stackman are both in Year 11 at Manilla Central School and play at the attacking end of the court.
Stackman, 16, plays centre/wing-attack while McNeill, 17, is a goal attack or goal shooter, and could potentially team up with Blackett-Gregg in the circle.
The two had a run in the circle together at their last training session.
Having played together in school sides but not a lot outside of that, it has been a real learning curve for Stackman and McNeill, but one they have enjoyed.
They haven't been the only one to get a surprise either.
There was one in store for Blackett-Gregg at the official presentation last Sunday, with the teenager named co-captain.
"I was shocked especially considering a few of the boys in the team have played for NSW before," he said, adding that it is a huge privilege.
He has been training with the side since December and believes they should "go pretty well", although the pressure will be on them.
"As soon as we step on court we know everything will come at us," he said.
They begin their title defence against long-time rivals Queensland at 8am on Sunday morning.
The home state are expected to be NSW's stiffest competition and will field two teams.
The finals will get underway on Saturday with the grand finals being played on Sunday. All the finals will be live-streamed along with some of the earlier games.
Should they progress to the grand final it will be a quick turnaround for McNeill and Blackett-Gregg.
"As soon as we get back from nationals we play for North West (basketball) in Bathurst," McNeill said.
They virtually come home then hop in a car and head to Bathurst.
After playing at the State CHS Championships Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, McNeill will then back up for the Tamworth Thunderbolts under-18s Division 1 side in round two of the Northern Junior League.
