Boys Basketball: 'Incredible worker' AmenEl Tadesse starring for state-ranked Seven Lakes in 19-6A title race
Sharpshooting senior guard helps pull Spartans within one game of first place in District 19-6A
Anytime AmenEl Tadesse catches the basketball in shooting position, he is prepared to launch. He’s already seeing the ball swish through the net before it even leaves his hands.
“He’s always been a confident young man, sometimes too confident,” Seven Lakes coach Shannon Heston said with a grin. “He’s not afraid to take shots.”
And when the senior point guard is on, like he was during Seven Lakes’ 60-50 win over Jordan in a clash of state-ranked teams on Thursday, Tadesse is a game-changer.
Tadesse drilled four of five 3-pointers en route to 16 points, helping the No. 15 state-ranked Spartans upset the No. 8 Warriors. Tadesse capitalized on Jordan playing too much help-side defense and overplaying Seven Lakes’ terrific sophomore forward Isaiah Santos.
After a 2-2 start to district play, Seven Lakes has been in desperation mode as it attempts to win a fourth straight district title. The Spartans (26-5, 10-2 District 19-6A) have won 12 games in a row and are a game back of Jordan (26-3, 11-1) for first place in 19-6A with four games left.
Tadesse scored the game’s first points Thursday on a 3 from the right corner. He helped ignite a Seven Lakes onslaught in the third quarter, scoring seven points as the Spartans outscored the Warriors 27-12 to turn a four-point halftime deficit into an 11-point lead going into the fourth quarter.
Seven Lakes made five of seven 3s in the period. Tadesse hit both of his triples and was fouled on another.
“When AmenEl’s hitting shots, I don’t know many teams that can hang with us,” said Santos, who had a game-high 22 points. “He’s a dude. When he gets hot, he gets hot.”
HIGHLIGHTS: AmenEl Tadesse 16 points vs. Jordan
Opposing defenses are wary of granting the 6-foot, 165-pound Tadesse any space, and he knows it. Tadesse has a knack for drawing fouls on 3-point attempts, often because defenders strike toward him with a high hand but leave him no landing room due to a lack of body control on contests.
Against Jordan, Tadesse was fouled twice on 3s, making four of six free throws. Not only must defenders be conscious of giving him an open look, they have to be cognizant of their positioning.
“Every time I dribble up to a shot, if they’re sagging off and it’s a taller defender, they’re going to want to block that shot. And, when I shoot, I won’t lie, I do jump a little forward,” Tadesse said. “If they come under me, I’m going to fall every time. I’m going to shoot it, and if I feel a body, I’m falling. Get three free throws.”
Tadesse’s consistency can be, well, hit or miss. He is a prolific shooter, though a streaky one.
Tadesse made two of nine 3s in a win over Cinco Ranch earlier this month, and one of seven in a win against Mayde Creek last month.
But he’s also had nights like Thursday and Nov. 12, when he made seven of 11 3s against No. 13 state-ranked Atascocita.
“It’s a shot I practice every day,” Tadesse said. “Whether I’m hitting or not, every time I see the rim, I’m going to let it go. Either way, I’m going to shoot it. Every time.
“If I’m not going to shoot a shot that I practice every single day, what am I on the floor for?”
That comes from confidence. The confidence comes from work.
Tadesse has double early release, which awards a student in good academic standing early release from school for two periods. After lunch, when his school day ends, he’ll spend an hour shooting on his own in the gym until the girls basketball team arrives for its athletic period.
That’s five extra hours per week that Tadesse is putting up shots outside of the typical two-hour practices the Spartans hold on non-game days.
“The kid is an incredible worker,” Heston said. “What you see on Tuesday and Friday nights is just hours and hours of work in the gym by himself. It’s awesome to see.”
It’s because of that work ethic that Tadesse has endeared himself to coaches and teammates as a leader in his first year on varsity.
“As a young man, he continues to turn more into that vocal leader that we need on this team,” Heston said. “He’s got experience under his belt now. His work ethic allows him to talk to the guys in a manner where they have to respect him.”
Tadesse’s value is in the space he clears for sophomores Santos and Dean Spencer, big guards who are special with the ball in their hands, creating for themselves or others.
“He’s a huge key to our team, as far as moving the ball and hitting shots,” Santos said. “When he’s hitting four or five 3s a game, as you can see, there’s not many teams that can stop us.”
Off the court, Tadesse is unique. Quirky. Very bright, boasting a 4.18 grade-point average, with pre-AP and KAP (Katy Advanced Program) classes dotting his schedule. Witty, with a dry sense of humor.
Self-assured.
“He’s so well-rounded, somebody you just enjoy talking life with,” Heston said, “and just a warrior when it comes to wanting to win basketball games.”
Tadesse has never been more comfortable, off or on the court.
“The first game, I felt like I sped up the game too much, forcing passes when I should be shooting the ball,” Tadesse said. “Now the game feels so slow to me. Every time I catch, I’m reading the offense, getting off a shot or a good pass.”
Being a dude.