You’re familiar with those signs at amusement park attractions that say you have to be a certain height to ride.

Similarly, college basketball coaches adhere to the principle that you have to be a certain height to play.

Where have you gone Monte Towe, Spud Webb and Muggsy Bogues?

How else do we explain the general lack of enthusiasm for Davie County’s 5-foot-7 Sean Stevens, who’s on his way to breaking every single-season record in the state for 3-point shooting and is averaging 26.1 ppg?

Recruiters shrug off Stevens’ success in one of the state’s toughest 4A leagues, his state record 12 3-pointers in one game and say, “Nah, not big enough.”

“Sean is not tall,” admits Davie coach Jim Young, “and I understand everybody wants the 6-2 or 6-3 kid. Still, it kind of drives me crazy that Sean doesn’t get more looks with all the colleges around here. There’s interest, but not what it should be.”

Actually, while Stevens is short, he’s not all that small. He’s solidly built and has the calves of a 180-pound wrestler.

“The guys kid me about my legs,” said Stevens. “They say, ‘Wow, Sean, your calves are all over the room.’ ”

Stevens’ running mate, Nemanja “Kretchko” Kreckovic (24 ppg), has also been largely ignored, but for a different reason. The 6-2 Kreckovic, who likes to kid Stevens that he’s eight inches smaller than the average Yugoslav point guard, isn’t short by any standard. But as an exchange student new to America, his name’s not a familiar one.

“Kretchko obviously never played summer ball here or AAU ball,” said Young. “Schools don’t know about him.”

Of course, folks are starting to find out. Kreckovic had 13 assists against defending 3A state champ High Point Andrews, proof says Young that he could develop into a solid Division II point guard.

“The kid can just light it up,” said Young. “He’s a player, the most complete offensive player I’ve ever had here. He can shoot the 3, make the mid-range shot, pass, finish on the break and post up. He’s as good as the guy R.J. Reynolds (two-time defending state champ) has at his position.”

Stevens, first in his family to take a stab at basketball, admits some disappointment. But rather than feeling sorry for himself, he just keeps tossing in 28s and 36s. If he’s not the greatest show on earth, he’s certainly the greatest show by a smurf.

“Yeah, it’s frustrating,” Stevens said. “But recruiting’s not something I can control. I mean, I’ve been to all the showcases. It’s not like I can get on the phone and call up a college coach and ask him to come watch me play. That’s just not how it works. Personally, I think Kretchko and me would make a pretty good guard combination, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.”

Stevens says Kreckovic is largely unaware of how the American recruiting process works and remains confident his talent and 3.5 GPA will land him a chance to play ball and continue his education in the states next year.

“Oh, they’ll both play college ball,” vowed Young. “I’ve got enough contacts that I can help them. But it’s a shame more coaches aren’t coming around. They’re missing out on a couple of bargains.”