A One Center Court experience of a lifetime

The Camas High School boys basketball players and coaches embraced the opportunity of a lifetime when they played a game at the home of the Portland Trail Blazers Friday.

“This is a memory we will always share,” said senior Jordan Lenard. “We got to play in the Moda Center, walk through the same halls and be in the same locker room as NBA players.”

Jordan Anderson, Trevor Jasinsky and Nick Lopes each netted 10 points. Lenard nailed a 3-pointer and finished with six points. Jasinsky stole the ball and dunked it through the hoop in one sequence. It would not be enough for Camas, as Columbia Christian of Portland won 76-50.

Arkadiy Mkrtychyan led the Knights with 22 points. He has committed to the University of Idaho. Kameron Chatman racked up 18 points, 14 rebounds and six steals for Columbia Christian. He is going to the University of Michigan.

Despite the loss, the Papermakers will never forget dribbling the ball on the same hardwood as the Trail Blazers.

“I got to play the game I love with my best friends on the biggest stage in basketball,” Jasinsky said.

The view of One Center Court from the bench was incredible. One can only imagine what it felt like to score a basket. It didn’t take long for the Papermakers to find out.

Jasinsky stole the ball from a Knight on the first play of the game and put it off the glass for two points.

“This is what every kid dreams about,” Jasinsky said. “It was a great way to get it started.”

Anderson, Lopes and Lenard also asserted themselves around the basket. The 3-point line is farther back on an NBA court than it is in high school, but Lenard stepped up and knocked one down without giving it a second thought.

“I just hit an NBA three,” Lenard said. “When I first shot it, I thought it was going to be long. I missed most of them in practice, and then in the game, I make it.”

Camas hung with Columbia Christian in the first half by forcing 15 turnovers. The Knights led 36-31 at halftime before going on a 16-2 run to begin the third quarter and put the game out of reach for the Papermakers.