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:
- Clark County Baseball presents Baseballism Kickoff this week with action all over the region
Thirty-six teams from across the Northwest, including two state champs, are competing in free high school baseball tournaments at local turf fields in Vancouver, Camas, and Ridgefield. - The Study of Sports Podcast March 13, 2026: We discuss the state basketball tournaments, the incredible run from Columbia River boys, the state placing for Evergreen girls, and more
Reporter Paul Valencia and sports administrators Tony Liberatore and Cale Piland discuss a series of subjects around the WIAA’s state basketball tournaments, plus we get into some Mariners baseball talk and NFL free agency/trade cancellations - Falcon Baseball Academy to host inaugural Extra-Innings Bazaar & Market at Prairie High School
Prairie High School’s Falcon Baseball Academy will host its first Extra-Innings Bazaar & Market on May 2, inviting local vendors and community members to support the school’s baseball program and student activities. - Trophy games: Columbia River boys finish fifth, Evergreen girls take sixth at state tournaments
Columbia River’s boys and Evergreen’s girls both reached the final day of their state basketball tournaments, returning to Vancouver with fifth- and sixth-place trophies. - High school state basketball: Columbia River suffers heartache in overtime loss in semifinals
Columbia River’s run to the Class 2A semifinals ended on a buzzer-beater in overtime, while Evergreen advanced to a trophy game and several other Clark County teams wrapped up their state tournament seasons.
