Addison Harris, Keirra Thompson, and Reagan Jamison voted to all-tourney team

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

A day later, and the Camas Papermakers have to be enjoying their reign atop the state basketball world.

Soon after the Papermakers captured the Class 4A girls basketball state championship Saturday evening in the Tacoma Dome, the players voted to remain in Tacoma for one more night, to celebrate with each other, all together as a team.

The plan was to return to Camas on Sunday, bringing back some hardware, of course.

“We get to bring this damn gold ball home with us,” coach Scott Thompson said in the post-game locker scene in the Tacoma Dome, referring to the big trophy.

Camas had a 20-0 run in the first quarter Saturday, building a huge lead, and cruised to a 57-41 victory over Gonzaga Prep in the championship game. It is Camas’ first state title in basketball.

Clark County Today was granted access to the after-party Saturday evening, after the Papermakers left the dome to continue their celebration. A video is in the works which will include game action, post-game reactions, and interviews with eight players — the five seniors and three juniors. They talk about the season, the title game, the pride in being homegrown champions, all from Camas, and their admiration for assistant coach John Griffin, who is battling cancer. That video will be posted later this week.

Here are a few more notes from Championship Saturday in Tacoma. 

All Tournament Team:

The three-time Class 4A Greater St. Helens League player of the year is now the MVP of the Class 4A girls basketball state tournament.

Addison Harris was voted the tournament MVP by members of the media who worked the tournament in the Tacoma Dome.

Harris averaged 17 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.7 steals per game as the Papermakers rolled to a state title with victories of 39, 12, and 16 points in the three Tacoma Dome games.

Keirra Thompson and Reagan Jamison were voted to the all-tournament second team. Thompson averaged 13 points and 6.3 assists per game. Jamison had eight points and six assists in the first game, grabbed nine rebounds in the second game, then led the Papermakers in scoring in the championship game with 17 points, including 15 in the first half when Camas took command.

Sportsmanship: 

The celebration on the court, and with their fans in the stands, took a while. The Papermakers accepted the trophy, cut down the nets, did some interviews, and really, just let it all soak in for as long as they could until tournament officials asked them to make way for the next game.

This reporter was following four of the players on their way toward the locker room entrance. To access the lockers at the Tacoma dome, there is a long hallway, with not much space between the walls.

As the Papermakers were walking one way, the Gonzaga Prep players were just coming out of their locker room. The two teams would be walking right past each other.

The Papermakers, who were still exhibiting signs of celebration as they were headed to their locker, quickly got quiet. And as the Bullpups and Papermakers passed each other, there were a few comments of “Good game” and “Congratulations.” 

A year ago, the Papermakers were on the other side of these emotions. They experienced the championship dread. 

The players I followed down the hall Saturday night remembered. They had all night to celebrate. They did not have to celebrate right in front of the Gonzaga Prep players. 

Well done Camas.

Thank you Griff:

Camas assistant coach John Griffin continues to inspire the Papermakers, but he did more than just encourage them this week in Tacoma.

Griffin is battling cancer. His recent treatments took a lot out of him. He had not been able to attend practices and games in the last few weeks. But he made it to the Tacoma Dome on Friday.

It wasn’t just to make an appearance, though.

Head coach Scott Thompso said Griffin was instrumental in the halftime adjustments that were needed. Friday’s semifinal game was the only close game for the Papermakers in the state tournament. They trailed by a point at the break. But Griffin, who has been credited as the defensive mastermind of this Camas team, gave his suggestions to Thompson, and the Papermakers outscored Sumner by 13 points in the second half. 

Homegrown Champions:

The Camas team that just won a state championship is truly a Camas team.

In today’s high school sports era, especially at big schools, a number of the best teams have had players move to their schools after they have started high school. 

There is a joke among coaches and media that high school sports have a transfer portal.

At Camas, though, this is a true Camas championship.

Of the 12 players on the roster, 11 attended elementary schools in Camas Public Schools. The 12th player moved to Camas in sixth grade, in middle school. Not a single athlete came to Camas after they started high school, nor did they come to Camas for the purpose of playing basketball. 

This is their home. And they brought home a championship.