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Edgerson, Recker use scrimmage to log only minutes of the season

Senior forward Eugene Edgerson and junior forward Luke Recker made their only appearances of the season at Tuesday night's Pepsi Red-Blue Game.

Both are able to practice this season, but will not be able to play in any games, aside from the intrasquad scrimmage.

Edgerson, who will redshirt the 1999-2000 season to concentrate on getting his degree and teaching certificate, played 14 minutes and had two points and a rebound.

"It was just disappointing today that I couldn't show them how I'm capable of playing, but I think the fans understand," Edgerson said. "They know I'll be back, though."

Recker, who must sit out the season after transferring from Indiana, made his Arizona debut, despite an injury to his left wrist during a summer automobile accident. The wrist is not yet 100 percent, but Recker has been doing half-court work in practice.

On Tuesday night, Recker played 18 minutes and scored six points. He admitted that he was surprised to play so early and often, but enjoyed getting back on the hardwood in front of the McKale Center crowd.

"The wrist is still a little sore at times, the strength isn't where it needs to be, but it's gradually getting better," he said. "I know I haven't forgotten how to play, and it was nice playing that much. That's the most I've played in a long time."

Doctors didn't expect Recker to be able to begin practicing until mid-December, but now it looks like he will be cleared to go full-contact by then. There isn't any hurry, though, since Recker won't be able to play until next year anyway.

One player who knows about sitting out a year is junior center Loren Woods.

Woods, who transferred from Wake Forest, sat out the 1998-99 season, but was allowed to play in last year's Red-Blue Game.

"I remember before I came to the game last year saying next year's was going to be a different game," he said.

Sophomore forwards Richard Jefferson and Rick Anderson may get along off the court, but both are putting friendship aside when they step on the court.

Both players are in an intense competition, mainly with each other, for the swing forward starting position.

"It's been a war," Anderson said. "Just every day, competing, getting to know each other better and better, how to play against each other. It gets harder and harder every day."

Jefferson outscored Anderson Thursday night 24 points to 19, but Anderson won the rebounding battle six to three. Both players played on separate teams, as they have been all preseason, so they can compete head-to-head against each other.

"Ricky's just a tremendous player, and every day is a challenge because he's taller than I am and has a better jump shot," Jefferson said. "I'm more athletic and quicker to the bucket, so it's like going against a completely opposite player.

"What's good about me and Ricky is that we can fight on the court, but off it, we're pretty cool. The rivalry, it's a lot of fun at practice."

To get experience playing against different types of players, head coach Lute Olson has used redshirt freshman Luke Walton, junior guard Lamont Frazier, freshman forward Mike Schwertley and, as soon as he is cleared, Recker.

"Those two guys (Jefferson and Anderson), they go at it," Schwertley said. "Everybody gets along off the court, but on it, it's a battle."

As for the guard situation, freshman Jason Gardner made a strong case for the starting point guard spot with 10 points, six assists and three steals Tuesday.

More importantly, he took control of the Blue Team and showed maturity far beyond his years.

Arenas showed explosiveness, getting 22 points and eight rebounds.

"Maturity-wise, they're not like freshman at all," Woods said. "They seemed a little nervous before the game, but I told them that this game was for the fans, so go out and have fun."

Sophomore Ruben Douglas, a starter at shooting guard for most of last year, started off slowly, scoring only two points in the first half, but finishing with 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting.

Frazier had nine points and four rebounds for the Red Team.

"I think Coach Olson saw a lot of good things tonight, but also a lot of mistakes," Gardner said. "Gilbert played a great game tonight. He's a great offensive player, but he's also a great athlete period. He did a great job for a freshman."