Camas girls basketball finished its mission; plus other highlights from Clark County’s world of sports in 2024
Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com
Championships are forever.
In 2044, communities will still be talking about championships won in 2024.
How do we know? Because in 2024, this community remembered a special state championship from 2004.
So as we take a look back at the Clark County sports scene from 2024, let’s start with some championship moments.
In March, the Camas girls basketball team completed a mission four seasons in the making. The senior leaders of the team, back when they were freshmen, knew they had what it took to win a state championship. In fact, the Papermakers came oh-so-close in 2023, falling in the finals.
That result just fueled them even more for 2024, and this time, the Papermakers delivered, bringing home the program’s first state championship.
“I love this team,” senior Reagan Jamison said. “I couldn’t be happier. I’m just speechless.”
An added benefit of this team: It truly was a homegrown title. In this era of high school sports, especially at big schools, many of the state’s best teams have players who move in during their high school years. The joke is there is a transfer portal in Washington.
But this Camas team? Truly a Camas team.
Of the 12 players on the roster, 11 attended elementary schools in Camas. The 12th player moved to Camas in middle school. Not a single athlete came to Camas after they were in high school, nor did they come to Camas for the purpose of playing basketball.
“This is their home,” Clark County Today wrote. “And they brought home a championship.”
Clark County Today also was there to produce this video: https://youtu.be/dNxKV_B4nO8
In the spring, the Columbia River Rapids had a Saturday to remember.
On the final day of spring sports championship week, Columbia River took it to heart, winning state titles in baseball, boys track and field, and girls tennis.
For the baseball team, it was a two-run rally in the final inning, capped by The Slide by Charlie Palmersheim.
Seemingly about to be tagged out by a throw that beat him by a few feet, Palmersheim slid around the tag for the go-ahead run.
“Charlie had some Superman slide, around the catcher,” teammate Zayne Boyes said. “I don’t know how.”
In the fall, the Columbia River volleyball team won its fourth consecutive state title, and the Ridgefield Spudders won their second consecutive girls soccer state championship. When it comes to girls sports in the fall, Southwest Washington rules.
In football, Clark County had two teams reach the state championship in their classifications. Camas, in 4A, and Seton Catholic, 1A, played in Husky Stadium in December. Both teams lost in the finals, with Camas losing on the final play of the game. Still, it was quite a run for both programs.
Here is another salute to a couple of long-time coaches who retired this year. Last winter, Cristi Westcott coached her final season of Mountain View gymnastics. It was her 42nd season in high school gymnastics, 40 with Mountain View. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/sports/high-school-gymnastics-mountain-view-coaching-legend-to-call-it-a-career/
After decades coaching college football, Steve Kizer got his first head coaching job at Skyview High School. He would stay there for 21 football seasons. This past fall was his final year with the Storm, retiring from the sidelines.
Moving on from high school sports, the largest one-day sporting event in Clark County, in terms of spectators, remains the Washougal MX National. In 2024, the motocross extravaganza became the official Military Appreciation Race for the Pro Motocross Championship series.
“This is something I’m insanely passionate about, especially since this sport saved my life,” said former U.S. Army soldier Brett Stralo.
Also in 2024, local artists Jenny Armstrong and Luke Evans were the winners for the best trophies for all events on the motocross series.
In professional golf, former Union High School standout Alistair Docherty had the best week of his career, finishing second in a PGA Tour event.
“It takes one good week to change your life,” Docherty said.
Once again, the Ridgefield Raptors brought thousands of fans to dozens of home games this summer, and the Raptors made the West Coast League playoffs again, as well.
Those are just some of the highlights from 2024. Leave some of your favorite memories in the comments.
On deck: Let’s go 2025!
Also read:
- 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. - State’s umpire-in-chief goes on recruiting trip in his final season as a baseball umpire
Tim Stevens is spending his last season traveling to every Washington umpire association, working to address the shortage of officials and encourage young people to join the ranks.
