Late Run Not Enough as Bay Rockets Boys Basketball Falls to Lakewood, 54–42

Bay Boys Basketball's late surge came up short Tuesday night, as the Rockets fell 54–42 to the visiting Lakewood Rangers in a regular-season conference matchup at Westlake High School.

Trailing 24–14 at halftime, the Rockets struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm through the first two quarters while Lakewood converted enough early opportunities to build a double-digit cushion. Bay’s defense tightened after the break, but the early deficit forced the Rockets to play from behind for the remainder of the contest.

Senior guard Ethan George provided the offensive spark for Bay, earning Light the Fuse Player of the Game honors with a game-high 15 points. George was especially effective from beyond the arc, tying his career mark for 3-pointers made in a game by going 4-for-6 from long range. His shooting helped ignite the Rockets’ best stretch of the night as they attempted to claw back in the second half.

That push came in the late third quarter and into the early minutes of the fourth, when Bay put together an 11–2 run to trim the Rangers’ lead and inject momentum into the Rockets’ bench. During that span, Bay’s defensive pressure intensified, and the offense began to connect from the perimeter, forcing Lakewood into tougher looks and speeding up the game's tempo.

Ryan Miller and Kelan Rose were key contributors in that stretch, each finishing with eight points and knocking down multiple 3-pointers to complement George’s scoring. Rose also made an impact on the defensive end, leading the Rockets with two steals as Bay tried to generate transition opportunities and quick scores to offset Lakewood’s half-court efficiency.

Emmitt Naughton and Brody Beggs helped the Rockets control the glass for stretches, each securing six rebounds. Naughton further directed the offense with a team-high three assists.

However, each time Bay closed the gap, Lakewood responded with timely shot-making in the final quarter. The Rangers converted key baskets to halt the Rockets’ momentum and preserve their advantage down the stretch, ultimately handing Bay the 54–42 defeat despite the Rockets’ strong late-game effort.

The Rockets are back in action this Tuesday as they host Sandusky Perkins on Tuesday, January 13 with JV's at 6pm followed by Varsity at 7:30pm.