After a week and a half of physical play in practice, the Hawaii men's basketball team spent yesterday at the Stan Sheriff Center adjusting to a more formal environment.

The Rainbow Warriors employed three officials and a shot clock to help govern the team's first scrimmages leading up to Sunday's exhibition contest against Hawaii-Hilo.

Coach Bob Nash broke the team up into three squads of four players in full- and half-court situations before operating two head-to-head contests.

The White team of Kareem Nitoto, Lasha Parghalava, Brandon Adams, Bill Amis and Petras Balocka excelled in man-to-man play during the first scrimmage, winning 12-2 over the Green team of Leroy Lutu Jr., Conrad Fitzgerald, Beau Albrechtson, Paul Campbell and Ji Xiang.

But the Green team was better in zone-defense situations in the second scrimmage, winning 11-6 behind five points from Fitzgerald and with freshman Adam Jespersen on the White squad instead of Albrechtson.

“;We played a really good transition game today, we didn't even really need to get into our sets too much in the man portion,”; Amis said. “;But once it slowed down into the zone we got a little mixed up and we have to work on that (today).”;

“;We got handed in the first scrimmage,”; Lutu said, “;and we kind of just had a little talk, had to pick it up, because we're all fighting for playing time. We kind of felt embarrassed, so went out there and played 100 percent and it turned out great. It was about intensity and a matter of pride.”;

Point guard Hiram Thompson remained out with an illness, while Adhar Mayen got shaken up on a hard fall midway through and sat out the final portion of practice.

Highly-touted newcomer Roderick Flemings participated early on his sprained ankle and made some sharp passes, but was told to sit out the full-bore scrimmages despite an obvious desire to play. Flemings said he's getting his foot examined today.

Nash said the team would “;play it by ear”; on Flemings' status against the Vulcans.

“;Today he made a few moves and showed what he's capable of doing when he's totally healthy,”; Nash said. “;I thought today when he went in there in the full court for a few minutes, showed good signs, shows he's the consummate teammate, always looking to get the ball to a guy where he can do something with it.”;