The Tale of a Tall Teen – Jared Tadlock prepares for another basketball season

Carmelo Anthony- six foot eight inches, Shaquille O’Neal- seven foot one inch, Earl Boykins- five foot five inches and Jared Tadlock- six foot eight inches.

“I am 6 feet 8 inches tall barefoot and 6 foot 9 inches with Nikes on my feet,” said Tadlock.

His height turns heads at school. According to Tadlock his height is a great advantage on the court, but can sometimes be annoying.

“Whenever I walk down the hallways, I can see all the way down to the other end; no one blocks my view at pep rallies and I get to duck under most doors. But seriously, I probably get asked how tall I am at least twice a day,” said Tadlock.

Some people think he is taller than his actual height. “Once I told this kid I was eight foot nine inches and he actually believed me,” he said.

Though he does get frustrated with jokes about his height, Tadlock still finds humor in his genetic difference and would rather be tall than average size. “I enjoy being tall. It’s a blast. My height gives me a good advantage in basketball and it’s nice to be able to help little people grab cereal boxes off the top shelf at Safeway,” he said.

Tadlock played Varsity basketball as a sophomore and was an important contributor to the team last year. According to Varsity basketball coach Jeffrey DeBuhr, “Jared played Varsity last year as a sophomore. He is only the second player in my four years as coach to play Varsity as a sophomore.”

Tadlock was important in making the team successful last year and made an impact offensively and defensively.

“Last year Jared came off the bench to make a huge impact on the team,” said DeBuhr.

Tadlock was a leader for the Lobos as well. “He was our third leading scorer while playing fewer minutes than many of his teammates. He also was second in the conference in field goal percentage,” said DeBuhr.

Though Tadlock is anticipating the new basketball season, it won’t be the first time he’ll step on the court this year. He’s been “playing year round with at least two practices per week for two years,” he said.

The junior has a peculiar pre-game ritual. “Before every game I go to Subway and get a footlong meatball marinara on parmesan oregano bread then I go to the gym and play my pre-game music (GFK, Mickey Factz, Young Jeezy and whatever’s hot at the time). Next I usually go into the locker room with four minutes to go in the JV first quarter to put my uniform on, come back out at half time to warm up and then it’s game time,” said Tadlock.

He experienced something special last year when he played on the same team as his big brother, 2009 graduate Josh Tadlock.

According to Josh, “It was great to play with someone I was close with because I could always count on him to help encourage me if I was in a slump.”

He enjoyed watching Jared dominate others on the court and is proud of him.

“It was also really cool to see my baby brother out there dunking on kids. I was really proud of how he played last year,” he said.

Along with Jared’s brother Josh, his family includes two “really supportive parents” who played collegiate athletics and two dogs, Tucker and Toby, who according to Tadlock, are “really tight dogs.”

Tadlock enjoys other activitities when he isn’t busy playing basketball or working in school. “I like to draw and paint, skateboard, snowboard, play video games (my gamertag is J RIZZLE B RAZ, hit me up on live). I’ve been known to dance on occasion and I have quite the collection of shoes,” he said.

Tadlock is modest describing his dance moves, but some students, like friend, junior Tanner Kelly, think his dancing is impressive. “Jared’s dancing has brought in much needed cultural diversity to the school’s dance scene. He’s really good,” said Kelly.

On top of all his activities, he maintains a high grade point average and has lettered in academics.

Tadlock and DeBuhr expect big things from the team this year. Tadlock said the team has the potential to go far in the State tournament.

“On the offensive end of the floor Jared will be one of our primary scoring options. On the defensive end it will be Jared’s role to help protect the basket and defend the opposing team’s best big man,” said DeBuhr.

After high school is over, Tadlock plans to attend college and play basketball. Already, colleges are showing interest in the 6′ 8” athlete.

“I’ve been getting mid level interest from low to mid Division I colleges for basketball,” said Tadlock.

Though he is uncertain about where he plans to go to college, one thing is for sure, he will make an impact on the court in the future.