Think I just figured the first part out, see below. Still wondering how to use triplets. Thanks
clc
clear
close all
x_data = rand(8,24);
y_data = rand(8,24);
scatter_clr = {'r';'g';'b';'r';'g';'b';'r';'b'};
scatter_clr = repmat(scatter_clr,1,24);
figure
for j = 1:8;
for k = 1:24;
subplot(6,4,k)
scatter1(j) = scatter(x_data(j,k), y_data(j,k), [], scatter_clr{j,k},'filled');
hold on
end
end