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:
- 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. - Pro basketball: Vancouver Bears set to debut new name in new league
Vancouver’s professional basketball franchise has rebranded as the Vancouver Bears and will open its season in a new league March 7 at Hudson’s Bay High School. - State basketball quarterfinals: Columbia River Rapids keep dream alive, advance to final four
Columbia River defeated Pullman in the Class 2A state tournament quarterfinals in Yakima to reach the semifinals, while four other Clark County teams fell in their respective state quarterfinal games.
