Camas coach Scott Thompson hopes this game between two elite teams will be a showcase for the sport
Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com
The Camas girls basketball team only has five home games this year.
That is the consequence of playing in showcase tournaments in an effort to find competition outside of Clark County
The Papermakers started their season with a couple of games in Spokane. Then three in the Washington, D.C. area.
They were on the road Thursday night for the 4A Greater St. Helens League opener, too, defeating Skyview.
But on Friday night (Dec. 15), the Papermakers are home and are welcoming the state champions.
It is a chance for Clark County to welcome the Eastlake Wolves. Tip-off is 7 p.m.
The Camas Papermakers certainly know the Wolves. Eastlake beat Camas last season in the Class 4A state championship game in Tacoma.
Yes, this is a rematch. But no, it is not a revenge game. No one associated with the teams would dare try to compare a non-league December game with a state championship game in March. If Camas wins on Friday night, Eastlake is not going to be handing over the trophy.
Still, this is a big game.
And a bigger event, Camas coach Scott Thompson says.
“First of all, for Eastlake to take this game and travel here shows a lot about their program. They’re not afraid of any challenge, and they’re willing to come to our place,” Thompson said. “For us, it’s a really good barometer of where we stand. Eastlake is going to be a top-five team again.”
The matchup also is a celebration of the sport. State champions from the Puget Sound region do not show up in Clark County every year.
“We get to show how our community and how our high school supports girls basketball,” Thompson said.
“I told them ‘If you’re willing to come, I promise you we can give you a cool experience.’ Our community supports girls basketball as well as any school in the state. We were excited to make this game happen.”
Camas will have another special game at home in January, too. The Papermakers are playing Oregon state champion Clackamas two times this year, one in Oregon, and one at Camas. The Camas home game is Jan. 31.
Also read:
- Ridgefield to host Division I baseball game between UW Huskies and UP Pilots on April 21
The Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex welcomes two Division I teams this April, offering free entry for local youth players and a rare college matchup in Clark County. - Business Profile: Columbia River volleyball coach teaches The Elite Competitor
Bre Smedley co-founded The Elite Competitor to help young athletes handle the mental demands of sports by offering support, resources, and ongoing training for players, parents, and coaches. - NBA vote clears way for expansion to Seattle
The NBA Board of Governors has voted to explore adding teams in Seattle and Las Vegas, moving Seattle closer than ever to hosting pro basketball again. - WA Gov. Ferguson to meet with NBA commissioner as hopes rise for Sonics’ return
The meeting this week comes before a vote that could clear the way for the league’s expansion to Seattle Jake Goldstein-StreetWashington State Standard Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Thursday previewed an upcoming meeting with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver ahead of a planned vote on league expansion that could bring men’s professional basketball back to Seattle. … - Plenty of NBA connections expected in town Sunday for Vancouver Bears game
Former NBA stars Gary Payton and Robert Pack will coach opposite each other when the SuperHawks visit the undefeated Vancouver Bears in a marquee USBL matchup.
