Camas girls sink Prairie at the buzzer

Courtney Clemmer, Meghan Finley and Madison Freemon connected on a game-breaking play for the Camas girls basketball team Thursday.

Clemmer grabbed the rebound with the Papermakers trailing the Prairie Falcons by one point. She maintained possession, while getting double-teamed, and passed the ball to Finley out in the open.

“The ball got knocked out of my hands,” Clemmer said. “I grabbed it, and Meghan called for it. Once I got it to her, I yelled ‘Meghan, get it to Maddie.'”

Finley spotted Freemon open under the hoop. She didn’t hesitate.

“She was the only person I saw up the court,” Finley said. “Just one dribble and let it rip.”

Freemon received the ball, put it off the backboard and into the basket before the final buzzer to help Camas beat Prairie 34-33.

“The pass to me was in slow motion,” Freemon said. “All I kept thinking is, this needs to go in. This is the one that counts the most.”

The Papermakers are thrilled to pick up a clutch victory against such a prestigious program. They are still getting used to the style of new head coach Scott Preuninger, while also integrating new players into the rotation.

“It’s exhilarating to beat a team who is so incredible in Prairie,” Finley said. “We may be young, but we have the potential. This just boosts our confidence to a whole new level. If we want to beat someone, this proves we can do it.”

Camas kicked off the season with a 57-30 win against Columbia River Dec. 1. Teague Schroeder netted four threes and finished with 13 points in the game. The Papermakers held the Chieftains to just two points in the second quarter during an 18-0 scoring drive.

Camas overwhelmed Hockinson 75-42 to start the season 3-0. Emma Jones led the attack with 16 points. Jordyn Wilds and Clemmer each had 13, and Stephanie Knight netted 12.

The Papermakers hope to keep rolling Friday, at Jesuit High School in Beaverton, Oregon. Tip-off is at 7:15 p.m.