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Aaron Wickenden Arizona Daily Wildcat Freshman forward Richard Jefferson slams the ball at last night's intrasquad scrimmage at McKale Center. Jefferson led the Red team in scoring with a total of 21 points in their 84-76 loss to the Blue team.

Freshman forward Richard Jefferson highlighted the group, scoring on several alley-oops on his way to 21 points, while freshman forward Michael Wright and freshman guard Ruben Douglas added 17 points and 16 points, respectively.

"The fans, the kids, all the support - I couldn't have asked for anything more," Jefferson said.

Sophomore forward Justin Wessel, who has been battling Jefferson for the starting wing spot, said the freshman's abilities are unique.

Aaron Wickenden Arizona Daily Wildca

"Richard's just phenomenal," Wessel said. "Some of the things he can do athletically are incredible."

But as exciting as the freshmen were, veterans Eugene Edgerson, A.J. Bramlett and Jason Terry showed they weren't going to step aside while the freshmen stole the show.

Terry led all scorers with 23 points, 18 of which came in the second half, while Bramlett scored 20 and Edgerson grabbed 10 rebounds to go along with 14 points.

But as is common with preseason scrimmages, the emphasis after the game was on what didn't go right.

"The movement was not good," head coach Lute Olson said after the game. "The young guys were real anxious at the start, and got tired quickly."

Aaron Wickenden Arizona Daily Wildcat

Edgerson pointed out that as impressive as the players were on the offensive boards, that was also a sign the defense has problems.

Aside from giving the crowd a show, players were also battling for starting spots when the team faces Sakalai Lithuania Sunday in its first game against outside competition.

"J.T.'s the point guard, but after that we're still looking," Olson said. "Tomorrow we're going to move Ruben Douglas back to the point to work opposite of J.T., and Quynn Tebbs to the two spot. Ruben is the guy most likely to back up J.T. in that position."

Aside from the point position, the main battles are between Wright and Edgerson for the right to start with Bramlett in the post, and Wessel and Jefferson for the three spot.

"I think Justin Wessel did a great job up front offensively," Olson said. "I keep telling Justin that he has to work harder on the defensive end."

Aaron Wickenden Arizona Daily Wildcat

Jefferson, despite showing off his athleticism, said he and the team still aren't where they need to be.

"The skills I normally do well I did well on, and the things I need to work on I still need to work on," he said. "We're out there fighting for positions. The Blue team might as well have been Tennessee. We've been talking trash all week because of this game."

For most of the game, Wright and Edgerson could be seen fighting each other for rebounds as Edgerson tried to keep the Chicago native from stealing his starting job.

When asked about Wright's performance after the game, Edgerson's response typified the battle between the two.

"Screw Michael Wright," Edgerson said. "He's a good player but it's time for me to get my due."

Seth Doria can be reached via e-mail at Seth.Doria@wildcat.arizona.edu.