Papermaker girls go 2-2 at Nike Interstate tournament

The Papermaker girls basketball team was working hard during Christmas break, with four games in four days at the Nike Interstate Shootout in Lake Oswego, Ore.

Camas won two games and lost two. According to coach Chuck Knight, they were playing against mostly bigger schools and without two of their lead players due to injuries.

“Overall, we were disappointed with the results,” he said. “We really felt that we were capable of winning every game. But without Lauren Neff and McKenna Jackson, putting up shots was harder. You’re talking about teams who were bigger and more physical than us.”

Neff is on personal leave from the team, but is expected to come back this week when the Papermakers resume league play. Jackson will return as well.

Knight added that he is hoping the experience will help the players.

“It seems like we have a game every other day,” Knight said. “We got out of the tournament with no injuries, so that’s a plus.”

Camas played South Eugene High School Tuesday and won 56 to 45. On Wednesday they battled South Salem but lost 48 to 60. Thursday the team played Tualatin High School and lost, but came up with a win against Pendleton of 47 to 35 on Friday to finish the tournament.

“Tuesday’s game really came down to the fourth quarter,” Knight said. “We were down by three points to start, but we did lots of good things. We were playing a team that really tested our defense.”

Wednesday’s and Thursday’s losses were tough to take, but Knight said that fatigue and missing two important players were factors.

“No one really had a good game on Wednesday and we looked tired,” he said. “Thursday, we weren’t tired but we just couldn’t seem to shoot the ball. We got some great looks at it, but didn’t quite make them.”

Determined not to leave the tournament with three losses, the Papermakers came from behind at halftime against Pendleton for the win.

“We put forth a strong effort and outscored them 20 to 5 in the third quarter to break it open,” Knight said.

This week, Camas faces Columbia River, Hudson’s Bay and Prairie.