The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team took a few more steps toward getting ready for real games yesterday.

For now, it is still baby steps.

The Rainbow Warriors battled each other in a 50-minute intrasquad scrimmage at the Stan Sheriff Center. As might be expected for the second week of practices, there were alternating moments of fascination and frustration.

"Overall, it's still about the same (as last week)," Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace said. "We're still not a team yet. Everybody is trying to do their own individual things and not relying on their offense and defense to help each other."

Wallace said "there's a certain amount of separation" at some positions, but all 12 scholarship players on the roster are still in contention for starting roles.

"There was improvements in certain areas," senior Julian Sensley said. "But we still have a long ways to go."

Sensley, a 6-foot-9 forward, had 32 points and 13 rebounds to lead the White jerseys to an 89-80 victory over the Black jerseys. Included in his total were three 3-pointers, and a soaring dunk over 6-11 center Milos Zivanovic.

"I can still improve," Sensley said. "Coach just got on me about my intensity, about playing a whole game like that. There were stretches where I played the way I'm supposed to and other stretches where I took it easy."

Newcomer Matt Lojeski led the Black with 22 points. He shot 8 of 10 from the field, including 3 of 3 from 3-point range.

"The good news is Julian is playing harder and looking to score and (his teammates) are looking for him," Wallace said. "The other news is I have to find a place for Lojeski because he's consistent and he can score."

One of Wallace's preseason plans was to have the 6-5 Lojeski serve as a back-up to Sensley at small forward. But based on Lojeski's practices so far, he should battle for playing time at both small forward and shooting guard.

Senior point guard Deonte Tatum also caught the attention of the coaches yesterday with seven points, nine assists and one turnover. Three recruits were brought in to challenge Tatum for the point guard role.

"That's definitely fun for me," Tatum said. "I like having that competition to push me every day."

Wallace said of Tatum: "He came back with such a good attitude and such a good work ethic that he's worked himself into good favor."

NOTES

Other standouts yesterday included center Chris Botez (16 points, 15 rebounds), forward Ahmet Gueye (15 points, 10 rebounds), and forward "Big Matt" Gipson (14 points, 10 rebounds).

The vacant assistant coach position has yet to be filled. Wallace said he hopes to have an assistant in place by next week.

Today is Wallace's 64th birthday.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.