THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 10, 1995 TAG: 9512070168
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
ALTHOUGH the Manteo High School boys' basketball team has had a phenomenal 41-11 record over the last two years, the team has not moved to the next level.
Bud Hendrix, Manteo head coach, hopes this is the year his team rises to the occasion. And the Redskins have the guns to do it.
Four starters back from last year's squad tuned up with two wins last week.
Manteo downed Gates County 80-70 and rocked Cape Hatteras 88-30.
The team committed just four turnovers in the two games.
Chris Sillis (6-foot-7), who has emerged as a force at center in his second year, scored 23 points and grabbed 16 rebounds against Gates and knocked in 11 points in just six minutes against Hatteras.
Other returning starters in Manteo's three-guard offense are forward Jason Summerton, third guard L.C. Thrash and point guard Darius Collins.
Collins is arguably the best point guard in the region, in any division.
Joining the returning starters is second guard Danny Davis.
One luxury Hendrix will have this year is a strong bench, led by 6-foot-10 backup center Stefan Fuss, a German exchange student.
Fuss started against Hatteras and scored 12 points.
Other players who will see action are Ashley O'Neal, a backup point guard; Patrick McNeely, a second guard; Tom Blanchard and Ian Lassiter.
In the past, Hendrix relied heavily on his starters.
This year, he'll be able to give the Redskins a new look every game.
``Every other day, the second team beats the first team in practice,'' Hendrix said.
``What happened last year is not going to happen this year. When we get in foul trouble, we'll have quality players off the bench, and that second team may even start something.''
Conference coaches have picked Manteo to be in a dogfight for first place with Southeast Halifax and Plymouth.
Hendrix also said that Edenton and Currituck should both be improved.
``If we keep everybody healthy, we'll have some good ball games with Southeast and Plymouth like we always do,'' Hendrix said.
One of the highlights of the season will be the first-ever ``Shootout at the Border'' Tournament held at Manteo on Dec. 20-21.
The tournament will consist of four boys' teams and four girls' teams representing both Virginia and North Carolina schools.
The boys' pairings will contain Manteo, Clinton, First Colonial of Virginia Beach, and Poquoson.
The girls' teams will include Manteo and Williamston, Virginia Beach's Cox and Chesapeake's Great Bridge.
Another highlight will be the matchups between the Redskins and Northeastern, which have turned into a rivalry.
The two teams meet in Elizabeth City on Jan. 5 and Manteo on Jan. 12.
For all the possible highlights, the Redskins will be satisfied only if they perform well in the 2A playoffs.
One of the team's goals is to win a state championship.
``One thing is we have not been able to make inroads into the state playoffs. That's what we've got to get done,'' Hendrix said.
``Clinton beat us in the last 30 seconds last year in the third round, and that still haunts us. We were in the final 16, but we want more.
``We were one basket away from the final eight.
``These kids are high caliber, and if we stay healthy and get a few breaks, they can go a long way. They have high expectations. They do not like to lose.'' by CNB