Jared Dillinger already completed an off-season goal by retaining his scholarship with the Hawai'i men's basketball team.

Now he's working on his next goal — playing time with the Rainbow Warriors.

Dillinger proved worthy yesterday by scoring a team-high 23 points during an intrasquad scrimmage.

The White squad, featuring the five projected senior starters, won the scrimmage, 85-78.

However, most of the post-scrimmage buzz focused on the effort of the inexperienced Green squad, led by Dillinger.

"The young guys responded well to the challenge," Dillinger said. "I think everyone is fighting for a spot early in the season, so you saw everybody giving it their all."

The White squad started Matt Gibson and Riley Luettgerodt at guards, Bobby Nash and P.J. Owsley at forwards, and Stephen Verwers at center. That group has been the "first string" for the first week of practice, but head coach Bob Nash said yesterday's scrimmage showed that a starting lineup is "still to be determined."

The Green squad used Kareem Nitoto and Dillinger at guards, Adhar Mayen and Bill Amis at forwards, and Paul Campbell at center.

"I just wanted to see where the young guys were in terms of could they work together, could they understand the plays without the seniors telling them what to do," Bob Nash said.

Dillinger, a 6-foot-5 senior, was the only returnee on the Green squad, and he barely qualifies as a veteran. He saw limited action in just six games last season, scoring just one point.

During the summer, Dillinger was informed by Nash that his scholarship could be given to a new recruit, if needed.

"Coach brought me in one day and explained the situation," Dillinger said. "I was fine with it. I said as long as it goes to a player who can really help us, I'll do what ever it takes to get the program going in the right direction, even if I had to walk-on."

As it turned out, Dillinger was able to keep his scholarship for his senior season.

He showed his appreciation by staying in Honolulu all summer to improve his skills.

"I never went home (to Colorado); just stayed here and shot baskets every day," Dillinger said.

During yesterday's scrimmage, he shot 9 of 13 from the field, including 4 of 6 from 3-point range. He was especially effective in the first half, when the Green raced to a double-digit lead.

"Dillinger has worked extremely hard," Bob Nash said. "We saw it in him last year. He just has to transfer it from practice to game situations."

The Green held the lead until midway through the second half, but the veteran White squad took control in the closing minutes.

"I don't know if experience or conditioning took over, but they righted the ship and were able to pull it out," Bob Nash said.

Luettgerodt led the White with 21 points and seven assists. Gibson added 17 points, although he sat out most of the second half after being assessed a technical foul.

Bobby Nash added 15 points, and showed his versatility by taking over point guard duties when Gibson went to the bench. Verwers contributed 11 points and nine rebounds.

"It was ugly," Luettgerodt said. "The Green team came out and gave it to us in the first half. We knew we had to pick it up after that. We weren't about to lose and hear it from those guys all week."

Mayen, a 6-7 sophomore, scored 20 points for the Green. He sat out the final minutes due to cramping in his leg.

Amis, a 6-9 sophomore, added 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting, and grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds.

Nitoto, a 6-3 freshman point guard, contributed 10 points and eight assists. Campbell, a 6-10 sophomore, added 10 points and nine rebounds.

"I think we showed a lot of potential," Nitoto said. "We showed we can play against Division I competition, and that we'll be ready when the season comes along."

Nitoto said he was not concerned when Nash separated the squads yesterday.

"Those guys know the system better than we do, but we play against those cats every day," Nitoto said. "I believe we opened up some eyes today. We showed we can run the system and play like the veterans do."

In any case, Bob Nash said it is still too early to determine a rotation. The 'Bows are scheduled to open the season Nov. 9 against San Diego.

"Obviously, there's a lot more stuff we have to put in," he said. "Defense isn't where it should be at this point and time. Today was a good indication that guys are buying into what we're doing offensively. Now we just have to keep coming defensively."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.