But unlike last week's Midnight 'Ohana, yesterday's intrasquad scrimmage at the Stan Sheriff Center had a little more at stake.

"Everybody's battling for a starting spot now," said touted newcomer Julian Sensley. "Midnight 'Ohana was fun and all, but this was like our first test."

Logan Lee, another newcomer, added: "For a first scrimmage, I think it went better than expected."

Then with a big grin on his face, he said: "I think we're going to be good."

If the newcomers keep up their learning pace, his forecast could hold true.

"There's still a lot to learn, but but the new guys have picked the stuff up rather quickly," UH head coach Riley Wallace said. "If you want (playing) time, you have to learn the system and I think they all understand that."

Lee, a 6-foot-2 sophomore point guard, recorded seven points and six assists while leading the White team to victory in the 30-minute scrimmage.

"I'm getting comfortable with it," Lee said of UH's flex-motion offense. "The veterans are helping me every day, and that's made a big difference."

If yesterday was any indication, sharing is going to be a key theme to this season. Of the 47 combined field goals made yesterday, 36 came off assists.

"We didn't run any offense like this in (junior college)," Sensley said. "But I'm learning it more and more, and I like it because it creates opportunities for everybody."

Sensley, a 6-9 sophomore, contributed 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

It helped that Lee and Sensley played on the White squad with returning starters Phil Martin and Michael Kuebler.

Martin, a 6-8 senior, scored a scrimmage-high 21 points. He also had seven rebounds and four assists despite playing with a sore hip that kept him out of practice earlier in the week.

"There were good moments when you could see our potential," he said. "But this is our first scrimmage, so it's still not all there yet."

Kuebler, a 6-5 senior, is moving from small forward to shooting guard, a position more suited to his style. He finished with 17 points and nine assists.

Vaidotas Peciukas, a returning small forward who is battling for a starting role, led the Green with 17 points and four assists.

Bobby Nash, a 6-6 freshman out of Iolani, added 11 points on 5-of-5 shooting from the field.

With a typical coach's response for this time of the season, Wallace said: "We showed that we have a lot of work to do defensively. Some guys don't know how intense you have to be to compete at this level. There's still lots of work to do."

• Injury report: Senior center and co-captain Haim Shimonovich did not participate in yesterday's scrimmage because of tendinitis in his right Achilles. He could miss the next one-to- three weeks of practice.

"Obviously, we want him in there, but he's not right now so it gives us a chance to see what the other guys can do," Wallace said.

Newcomer Jeff Blackett sprained his right ankle during yesterday's scrimmage and sat out the final half. Wallace said the injury did not appear serious.

• Ticket sales: Season ticket sales for UH men's basketball start tomorrow.

Tickets can be purchased at the Stan Sheriff Center box office from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. They also may be purchased by phone at 944-2697 or on the Internet at www.etickethawaii.com.

Only upper-level seats remain, and are priced at $185 for adults, $79 for students (ages 4-18) and $49 for UH students. Super Rooter tickets for UH students and guests also are available.