FOUNTAIN LAKE -- Fountain Lake coach Jake Dettmering's most recent mentor got the better of him on his home court.
On his return to Bass Gymnasium, second-year Malvern coach Chris Meseke watched his Leopards defeat the Cobras 32-25 Friday night. Sweeping the season series, Malvern (10-7, 6-2) remained tied for first place in Class 4A-7.
A Cutter Morning Star graduate who started his coaching career at Magnolia, Meseke was Garland County coach of the year three times in six seasons at Fountain Lake.
The homecoming?
"That doesn't phase me. I've been in situations like this before," he said. "It's not about me, it's about the kids. I'm happy because this was a big win for us, just coming on the road and winning while playing their tempo."
Outrun by Malvern in its league opener Dec. 15, Fountain Lake (9-10, 4-4) grinded the first quarter to 5-5 in a half that ended 10-9.
"I learned a lot from him, and he's a good coach," Dettmering said. "It was just another conference game, and I knew we were in for a tough task. Malvern has a good ball club, and (is) well coached. Every conference game is going to be tight, and this is another one."
Malvern broke loose in the second half on a 12-2 run for its largest lead, 22-11. The Cobras managed only a rebound putback by Tate McKellar at 4:56 before Justin Bates' three-pointer with 43 seconds left started an 8-0 run that brought Fountain Lake within 22-19.
"In the first half, we were in a bit of a rush," Meseke said. "We were losing the ball, fumbling it, missing layups. We just had to slow down a little bit offensively, which is tough to do when you're having to play defense for 30 or 45 seconds. You're just amped up to go score, and we were able to slow it down in the second half and go execute and pick them apart."
Meseke witnessed 50-percent floor shooting in the second half (8 of 16) after 20 percent (3 of 15) in the first.
Jordan Hughes scored Malvern's 10 fourth-quarter points, halting Fountain Lake's run with back-to-back baskets, the first off a steal near midcourt. He scored six in the final minute after Fountain Lake pulled within 26-22.
"I expect that from him," Meseke said. "Jordan is a great player, and he's improved tremendously not only with his game but with his work ethic and his mentality. That's what you expect from your better players."
Fountain Lake shot 27.8 percent from the field (10 of 36), a season-low at home. The Cobras were 6 of 26 (23.1 percent) for 14 points through three quarters.
"Through the course of a long season, you just have an off-shooting night," said Dettmering, whose seniors began their varsity careers under Meseke and whose underclassmen played under the coach in junior high. "Who knows what's in the minds of 16-, 17- and 18-year-old kids? I don't know if playing them was it. We just had a poor shooting night."
Only McKellar (13) and Bates (9) scored for Fountain Lake after Dustin Black's opening three, McKellar with 11 in the second half.
"As a team, we weren't aggressive enough," Dettmering said. "We settled for too many outside shots, and when you're not shooting well, you have to work and get better shot attempts. Tate just had an off night and wasn't as aggressive as he normally is, and I can attribute that to Malvern playing some hard defense."
Devin Bradford aided Hughes' heroics with eight points and 11 rebounds, grabbing six boards in the second half.
While Fountain Lake goes to Waldron for conference games Tuesday night, Malvern stays home for a first-place showdown with Arkadelphia.
Malvern 5 5 12 10 -- 32
Fountain Lake 5 4 5 11 -- 25
Malvern: Hughes 15, Bradford 8, Moore 4, Felders 3, Brownlee 2.
Fountain Lake: McKellar 13, Bates 9, Black 3.
Sports on 01/25/2015