Papermakers wear pink

Break out the pink uniforms and shoelaces.

It’s time for the Papermaker girls basketball players to play for victims of breast cancer Friday, at Camas High School.

“Those pink jerseys are sweet,” said Rachel Rice, who helped organize this year’s event as part of her senior project. “Hoops for Pink nights are a blast. I can’t believe this is going to be my last one. I know they will keep doing them, but it’s bittersweet. I don’t want it to end.”

The Camas boys and girls basketball teams host Heritage for the event. The varsity boys play at 5:30 p.m., followed by the varsity girls. General admission is $5.

Hoops for Pink T-shirts will be on sale for $10. A silent auction will be held through the night. Winners will be announced after the third quarter of the girls game. All donations will benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

“We want the girls to give back a little bit and understand there are more important things in life than just basketball,” said head coach Chuck Knight.

“There’s not really a goal. Any money we raise is going to a good cause,” Rice said. “The goal is to have a big crowd and make a bunch of money by selling T-shirts and doing the silent auction. We want it to be memorable.”

The Camas girls entered a hostile environment at Union High School Tuesday, and tamed the Titans. Nikki Corbett delivered 19 of her team-leading 24 points in the second half to propel the Papermakers to a 52-35 victory against their Lacamas Lake rivals.

“I thought we did really well on defense,” Rice said. “We shook them up completely.”

Camas limited Union to just seven points in the first half. Rice and Meghan Finley each snagged two steals. Corbett scooped up a loose ball and several rebounds.

“She’s really tough under the basket,” Knight said of Corbett. “She’s become a big part of the success we’ve had, and she just continues to mature as a leader. I like to see that.”

The Titans erupted for 21 points in the third quarter, but the Papermakers kept pace with 17. Rice nailed a huge 3-pointer in the fourth quarter, and Finley, Corbett and Brenna Khaw made their shots from the foul line.

“They adjusted to our defense, but we kept our heads up and continued to battle,” Rice said. “We really wanted to beat Union. This was a big game.”

Knight was pleased with the way the Papermakers finished the game as one solid workforce.

“We talk about playing together during adversity instead of falling apart,” he said. “This was a great win today. Tomorrow is practice. Let’s get better tomorrow.”