Rockets Push No. 3 Perkins to Wire in 66-56 Home Loss

BAY VILLAGE, Ohio — Bay High School went toe-to-toe with one of the state’s best on Wednesday night, using a late surge to pressure visiting Perkins before ultimately falling 66-56 to the third-ranked Division IV boys basketball team at home.

Perkins led throughout, but the Rockets never allowed the Pirates to pull away. Bay trailed just 13-12 after the first quarter and 28-22 at halftime, then trimmed a double-digit deficit to a two-possession game in the fourth quarter behind a series of big shots and their most efficient ball movement of the season.

Freshman guard Kelan Rose paced the Rockets with a game-high 18 points, knocking down six 3-pointers to keep the offense within striking distance. Rose also distributed the ball effectively, adding four assists as Bay finished with a season-high 16 assists as a team. The Rockets consistently generated quality perimeter looks and shared the ball against a ranked opponent’s defense.

The decisive stretch came in the fourth quarter, when junior Ryan Miller ignited a final push. Miller buried back-to-back 3-pointers to slice the Perkins lead to five, then later converted a key and-1 in the closing minutes. He scored 11 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, providing much of the late-game scoring as Bay tried to erase the Pirates’ advantage.

Bay’s backcourt balance extended beyond Rose and Miller. Emmitt Naughton added 10 points and fueled the defensive effort with four deflections and a game-high five assists, helping trigger offensive advantage opportunities and open shots on the perimeter. The Rockets’ pressure disrupted passing lanes and forced Perkins to work deeper into possessions, particularly in the second half.

Inside, Bay fought valiantly on the glass. Forwards Brody Beggs and Jack Bly each pulled down eight rebounds, working to limiting second-chance opportunities for the Pirates. Bly also provided rim protection with a team-best two blocks, anchoring the interior defense as the Rockets battled to stay within reach in all four quarters.

Despite the loss, the performance against a top-three state opponent underscored progress for the Rockets. With a balanced scoring attack and a season-high assist total, Bay demonstrated it can compete with elite competition and convert that effort into growing confidence as the season moves deeper into league play. The Rockets will be on the road at Normandy this Friday, January 16th.