The Union Titans handed the Camas Papermakers their first loss against a Southwest Washington team since 2021 on Thursday, but the two teams play again — with a league title on the line — on Friday
Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com
It was a victory years in the making.
The Union Titans could only celebrate for a few minutes, though.
They were thrilled to be the first girls basketball team from Southwest Washington to beat the Camas Papermakers since the abbreviated season of 2021.
The Titans quickly remembered, however, that in order to win the Class 4A Greater St. Helens League title, they would have to do it again 24 hours later.
Thursday was the Titans’ night in a 68-43 victory.
Friday is still up for grabs, and the winner will be in first place in the league.
“It means a lot, especially with the history of not beating Camas in a while,” junior Brooklynn Haywood said. “But the job is not over yet. We haven’t won league yet. We’ve got another one (Friday). We have another one with Skyview. The job’s not over yet.”
Union will travel to nearby Camas for Friday night’s game. It is another boys-girls doubleheader, which always brings in massive crowds for this rivalry. The boys game will be the early start Friday, with the girls game scheduled for 7 p.m. Don’t be surprised if it is closer to 7:15 or 7:30, though.
Haywood had 20 points, 8 assists, and six rebounds in Thursday’s win. Sophomore Jalise Chatman also had 20 points for the Titans.
“We have to get prepared for (Friday),” Chatman said. “It’s going to take a lot of hard work and effort.”
Camas had won eight consecutive games against the Titans, including a thriller earlier this month. The Papermakers jumped out to a huge lead. Union rallied. Then Camas, the defending state champion, got it done in the clutch.
Thursday night, it was all Union against a short-handed Camas squad. The Papermakers were without seniors Keirra Thompson and Sophie Buzzard, injured and on the bench supporting their teammates.
Union took advantage of a home court, an incredible student section, and hot shooting to take the lead early. The Titans never looked back in this one.
Senior Janessa Chatman hit three 3-pointers in the first quarter. Haywood was emotional with each assist, raising her hand to signal the 3-pointer by her teammate.
“It takes what it takes. They had two or three people on me. If they’ve got three people on me, I know my teammates are going to get the bucket. I’m going to trust them to hit that shot,” Haywood said. “We started off with three 3s in a row. Then I got free. You gotta work for it.”
Later in the quarter, Haywood made back-to-back 3-pointers.
Still, Camas kept battling and a few 3-pointers that went in and out could have made this a closer game in the first half. Camas coach Scott Thompson said was pleased with his four sophomores and one junior in the starting lineup, playing quality minutes in such an important game.
No decision has been made as of Thursday night if Keirra Thompson and/or Buzzard would return to action for Friday’s game. Unlikely was one of the words to describe their availability.
The Titans also understood that they did not get Camas at its best. Still, it was a victory over a rivalry, a victory over the defending state champion, and a victory that gave the Titans a chance at a league title.
“This was a hard game to prepare for,” Union coach Gary Mills said. “We knew that there was a possibility they were missing some people. You never know until they take the floor. Bottom line, whatever it takes. We got a lot of contributions tonight, and we were able to get it done.”
Mills noted that he and his coaches remember wins over Camas. But this was a first for the athletes.
“For our kids, we don’t have one varsity player who has ever won a varsity game against Camas,” Mills said. “(The Papermakers) weren’t at full strength, but we’ll take it, and we’ll regroup and come back (Friday).”
With a league championship on the line.
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