Camas girls want to make more history

By kicking off 2017 with 12 straight wins, the Camas High School girls basketball team is going to the state tournament.

The five juniors in this group are following four seniors who have been playing varsity since they were freshmen.

“They have taught us about togetherness,” said junior post Courtney Clemmer. “They were there for me my freshman year. I want to help them get as far as we can possibly go and make more history.”

On Feb. 10 in Tacoma, the Papermakers rallied from 14 points down to defeat Rogers-Puyallup 60-55 in the quarterfinals of the 4A bi-district tournament.

Head coach Scott Preuninger said Haley Hanson fueled the comeback with two 3-pointers at the start of the fourth quarter. Clemmer added a basket and a foul shot to give Camas a one-point lead with three minutes left in the game. Emma Jones and Madison Freemon netted a pair of free throws, and the Papermakers didn’t allow any more points before time expired.

Clemmer finished the game with 19 points, Hanson added 14, Jones earned eight and Meghan Finley scored seven.

“We don’t count on one player. We count on multiple players,” Clemmer said.

On Feb. 8, Camas beat Olympia 51-35 in the opening round, in Camas.

Freemon and Jones both delivered 12 points, and Clemmer chipped in 11. Jillian Webb made two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.

“It’s cool to have those big games with the big shots at home because you have so much energy from your hometown,” Jones said.

These Papermakers are dreaming about playing basketball in the Tacoma Dome.

“It would be amazing,” Freemon said. “First time in Camas history. It would be great.”