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:
- Volcanoes return home Saturday, April 27, in The Basketball LeagueThe Vancouver Volcanoes look to improve to 4-0 against the Great Falls Electric this season, with a home game Saturday, April 27, at Hudson’s Bay High School.
- Clark County Today Sports Podcast, April 25, 2024: Despite rumors, a transfer portal in Washington high school sports is not in the worksThe sports gang is back and we go into a deep discussion on a transfer portal in high school sports and how it is not — repeat not — the plan of the WIAA to have a transfer portal, plus we talk Skyview softball, Union soccer, a coaching change, and an Honor Game.
- Basketball coach James Ensley heading home to Battle GroundJames Ensley, who has been the athletic director and head boys basketball coach at Fort Vancouver, is going home to coach at Battle Ground High School, where he graduated from in 1996, after budget cuts eliminated his AD position at Fort Vancouver.
- Union High School baseball celebrates those who serve at Honor GameThe Union High School baseball team invited veterans, first responders, and educators to their game against Battle Ground on Tuesday to participate in their Honor Game, celebrating those who serve others.
- Camas student named a recipient of $5,000 WIAA scholarshipEmily Shin, a senior at Camas High school, has a 3.99 grade-point average, is an athlete, and leader among community service at her school, and the WIAA and its sponsors have recognized her with the Smart Choices Scholarship.