Camas girls basketball to host state champion Eastlake

Eastlake’s defense proved to be too strong for Camas in the the state championship game last season. The two teams are playing a non-league game in Camas on Friday, Dec. 15. Photo courtesy Heather Tianen

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.

The Camas Papermakers consoled one another after their loss in the state championship game last March. They are back, hoping to finish in first this season. On Friday, they host Eastlake, the team that beat them in the championship game. Photo courtesy Heather Tianen

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.