Rochester

Rochester High senior duo has boys basketball team in first

By Christian Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» Click on image to view full size « Photo by Deb Jacques Rochester High senior Taylor Perry goes up for a shot against Troy Athens Jan. 21 at Athens. The Falcons won 49-42. For more photos from the game, visit www.candgnews.com, and click on the Photo Galleries link. Photo by Deb Jacques Rochester High senior Taylor Perry goes up for a shot against Troy Athens Jan. 21 at Athens. The Falcons won 49-42. For more photos from the game, visit www.candgnews.com, and click on the Photo Galleries link.

TROY — It’s been this way since grade school.

Paris Pereria driving to the hole and finishing or finding his teammate, Taylor Perry, for an easy basket.

“Me and Taylor have been playing together for a long time,” Pereria said following Rochester’s 49-42 victory at Troy Athens Jan. 27. “We know where each other is going to be, and we try to feed off of each other.”

Now seniors and leading Rochester High to an 11-1 overall record at press time, they are hoping to end their final season in style.

The Falcons are 3-0 in the Oakland Activities Association Blue Division, which they won last season. What’s really on the top of the to-do list for the seniors is a Division 1 district title, something Rochester High hasn’t accomplished since 1988.

“That would mean a lot to our team,” Perry said. “We all had goals at the beginning of the season and that was the No. 1 goal.”

Both players are averaging 18 points per game.

Perry stands 6 feet 4 inches, and is strong enough to battle down low and precise enough to strike from the outside.

The forward is also averaging nine rebounds and four assists.

“He’s done everything for us, whether it’s scoring, rebounding or getting the open man a shot,” coach John Pleasant said.

Perry has signed to play for Western Michigan University, and the coach added that his effort is second to none.

“Obviously, he’s a good player, but his motor is amazing,” the coach said. “He’s talented, and I don’t want to down play it, but there are guys with more talent, but they don’t have Taylor’s motor.”

If Perry is the motor of the Falcons, Pereria is the gas pedal.

The 5-foot-8-inch guard also averages four assists per game.

“He’s a warrior, and he battles. He should be playing at the next level next year. He’s undersized, but he has a huge heart,” Pleasant said. “He’s a special kid.”

Catch the Falcons against Birmingham Seaholm at 7 p.m. Feb. 3 at home.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Christian Davis at cdavis@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1062.