Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / Dec. 4, 1997, edition 1 / Page 22
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Rodmond Dunlap (above) and Travis HoUomb-foye (loft) gained valuable experience latt teuton a* sophomoret. Now the two will lend leadership to the Demons team. Demons have the tools to duplicate last season's success By JAESON PITT The Chronicle Sporls Intern As one enters Brvson Gym this time of year, the feel ^nd excitement of Reynolds basket ball can be felt in the air. Reynolds' tradition is dis played everywhere from banners to an enormous amount of tro phies and paraphanelia that intimidate opponents upon entrance. At RJR, "basketball is life". Each year, twelve athletes are chosen to keep the spirit alive To represent their school with pride and to strive toward achieving the ultimate goal - a state cham pionship. This season, the Demons have another excellent group of young rpen who set about the task of keeping the tradition alive. The cast this season includes five newcomers who must replace the four seniors who were lost to graduation. This year's Demons have plen ty of talent and are sure to accomplish much with lots of Hard-work and good execution. The returning players will carry the biggest part of the bur den. They are led by Rodmond Dunlap, the versatile junior swingman. He'll be joined in the starting lineup by Travis Holcomb-Faye, a dangerous guard on both ends of the court. Kassim Richardson, last year's man in the middle, is also back. Up front the Demons will also have Hart Sanders, a solid 6-4 terror in the post and Brad Tuttle. another dynamic player who is comfortable with the jumper or the dunk. In the back court, A.J Steele, a marksman with unlimited range and Carter Williams, a 6-0 guard with out standing quickness and funda mentals, will give Coach Howard West lots of options Four of the new players have been in the program for at least two years. The fifth is a freshman standout from Hanes Middle School. They are: Jon Adams, last year's starting j.v. point guard, Deanzo Amos, the little big man, Nick Hairston. a 6-5 senior who should provide the team with rebounding and shot-blocking, Michael Noel, a last year jayvee starter who should be a constant scoring threat, and Jason McDougald, the 6-6 freshman center. After last year's great season, making it to the semifinals of the 4-A Sectional finals , Reynolds has big plans for this season. With new assistant coach. Brian Robinson, his newly acclaimed players, and fresh uni forms, the Demons have a new attitude and look forward to placing even higher this year. To get to the point where they want to be the end of the season, the Demons will have to listen and carry out the plans of West. Another key will be giving every game on their schedule their best effort so that they will be prepared for the playoffs, according to West. The Demons will have their chance to show their improve ment from last season as Charlotte Independence, the team that beat them in 1996-97's playoffs, has been added to their schedule. The Demons will still have to hold their own in Forsyth County as they will face a tough confer ence schedule. Included are rivals Mount Tabor and West Forsyth, Central Piedmont 4-A foes South Rowan, South Stokes and Davie County. According to Coach West, this year's team will rely on its depth. The roster is chalk full of players who can contribute off the bench. West says they have the physical strength and quickness necessary to be very effective in the presses that seem to devour the best of offenses. West also said that his team was lacking in height as well as leadership, result to the loss of two starting seniors of last year, Jon Skinner and Wali Alston. With their hectic schedule, the Demons can't afford to get lax or slack up for a moment. It must be full-fledged hustle, motivation, fundamentals, and natural court awareness. West says the team must execute the plans put into place by the coaching staff If all goes accordingly, and the team meshes, they'll have a chance to duplicate last season's record. Tyree Manns is East's tower of power Inexperienced Eagles need to find complimentary players, outside scoring Tyrm* Manna BY SAM DAVIS The Chronicle Sports Editor Coach Derek Wttherspoon of East Forsyth has his hands full this season with only five players with any kind of varsity experience. The Eagles do have one of the area's top big men in Tyree Manns, but very f~ | uiuc cnc. Manns will have to carry a lot of the load if the Eagles expect to get above the .500 level. Getting the ball to the 6-7 pivotman will be a problem. The Eagles lack a veteran to the run the i point. Two players who were expected to add/stabil ity to the teamNvon't be eligible until\the second semester. Until then, the Eagles will throw in several youngsters. That is a source of concern for Witherspoon With a lack of veterans the Eagles are off to an 0-2 start. In their most recent loss, a 65-44 decision to Carver, the Eagles struggled out of the gate on offense and placed only one player in double figures. East scored only two points in the first quarter of that game and lost a 65-44 deci sion. Xavier Barber was Vie team's leading scaler with 11 points. Manns was held to only four points. The Eagles will have to find consistent outside scorers to com pliment the inside play of Manns. Until they do, opposing teams will he able to clog up the middle. Wayne Belcher, a 6-1 forward. and Adam Whicker, a 5-8 sopho more guard, both started at times for the Eagles last season. They'll have to step up quickly. "This is probably the most ath letic team we have had since I have been here, but its the most inexpe rienced also," Witherspoon said. In /\r/4nr ?? Ill UlUbl 11/1 IIIC Eagles to have a chance against top competition, they'll have to play half court, low-scoring games. "We have to take care of the I ball," Witherspoon | said. "If^we have too many turnovers, we can't take advantage of our strengths, our frontcourt players." The Eagles do have several play ers who made a major impact on their junior varsity team last season and have been in the system. Barber, a 6-2 leaper, could be the best. Barber, a member of the All Chronicle Junior Varsity Team last season, is an explo sive scorer. John Pitts is also well tested in the junior varsity ranks and lacks only varsity experience. Pitts has shown well in the first two games, including a seven point performance in the loss to Carver. Infill flHVlSI Harris Teeter msmMBWMuMMiBmB Dec 3rd >/7 /?x r |\ \ / ] H I / MMM Sl*60 Ct. Premier Selection f~I mi f / L ?ULk9 Rum Raised White Shrimp ^ /Svh^V ^y\v 11 jsr ^ Hf? sE" ? 5)?j$ Bay Scallop? ^ "? 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Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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Dec. 4, 1997, edition 1
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