FOUNTAIN LAKE -- The Fountain Lake Cobras' patience was rewarded Friday night.
Working long offensive possessions until layup possibilities arose, the Cobras shot 65 percent from the floor in a 41-31 win over conference rival Waldron, Fountain Lake's first Class 4A victory since the 2007-08 season. The Cobras are 5-4 overall, 1-1 in 4A-7.
"They were really patient and picked their spots," Fountain Lake coach Jake Dettmering said. "We were shorthanded tonight with players being out of town and injured and sick, so we had a short bench and went to a slower offense and really preached being patient."
Fountain Lake never trailed after going up 12-11, holding Waldron (5-6, 0-1) scoreless over the final 4:55 of the first half. Making four of their first five shots in the second half, Fountain Lake went up 23-15 and led 25-20 after a five-for-seven third quarter.
Waldron's pressure forced Fountain Lake into 10 second-half turnovers but the Bulldogs got only as close as 29-26 with 3:41 left, Fountain Lake went nine of 13 (69 percent) from the second-half floor after a six-for-10 first half.
"They tried to bring the pressure on us, but when we were able to get out of the traps, we were able to get some high-percentage looks against them," Dettmering said. "The shot percentage definitely showed the patience offensively tonight."
Fountain Lake put it away with a 9-1 run to 38-27 with 1:39 left. Whereas Fountain Lake's shooting percentage never dipped below 60 for the game, the Bulldogs made only 11 of 38 (29 percent), making four4 of 15 (27 percent) in the first half and seven of 23 (30 percent) in the second.
"It was just one of those night where your shot just isn't going in," Waldron coach Josh Brown said. "Defensively, I thought we played well. We knew it was going to be a low-scoring game when it was 15-11 at the half. We're used to scoring 11 for a quarter. We average around 50 to 55 points a game, and tonight just wasn't our night."
Fountain Lake needed accurate floor shooting to compensate for losing the turnover battle 16-7 and in offensive rebounds (8-2). Waldron attempted 15 more field goals and made four fewer than the Cobras, who made only eight of 18 free throws.
Tate McKellar played 31 of the maximum 32 minutes and led the Cobras with a game-high 17 points.
"That was Tate's best game of the season, I think," Dettmering said. "At Cutter (Morning Star, Nov. 20 season opener), he scored 25 but was in a faster-paced game. Tonight, I thought he was under control and was really sound all night. That was the most solid game Tate's played this season."
Senior Sam Crutchfield added 14 points for Fountain Lake, making four of five from the field, one of two three-pointers and five of six free throws while playing all 32 minutes.
"Sam has done it the whole season," Dettmering said. "He's really bought into it this year, about playing smarter and having better possessions. He really picked his spots tonight. The three he hit was inside-out where we got it into the paint and kicked out, and his shot selection was very good."
Clay Doster led the Bulldogs with eight points, the only Waldron player to make more than two shots.
The Cobras hosted Haskell Harmony Grove in the Fountain Lake Classic Saturday night before facing Perryville Monday night.
Waldron 7 4 9 11 -- 31
Fountain Lake 6 9 10 11 -- 41
Waldron: Doster 8, Slater 6, Haga 5, Fanick 4, Wadkins 3, Sparks 2, Dees 2, Shores 1.
Fountain Lake: McKellar 17, Crutchfield 14, Bates 6, Mann 2, Black 2.
Sports on 12/21/2014