Union and Mountain View boys in strong position to make state

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

It is so tough to prepare for the Camas Papermakers.

Can’t focus on any one player to defend. Another will get you.

And it is so difficult to prepare an offense against the Papermakers, too. At times, it seems like there are six defenders on the court.

That combination has led the Camas Papermakers to the championship game of the Class 4A b-distict girls basketball tournament.

Meanwhile, the Union boys and Mountain View boys had huge victories Wednesday to remain alive in their bi-district tournaments. In fact, they both put themselves in strong position to make it to state.

The Columbia River girls are going to state, too. So, too, are the King’s Way Christian boys and Seton Catholic girls. A few more teams are still in the running.

As far as the Camas girls, the Papermakers already knew they were going to state, even before Wednesday’s victory. But the result helped their cause in other ways.

Camas beat Sumner 59-37 on Wednesday, holding a team under 40 points in this tournament for the second consecutive game in this tournament. The Papermakers will face Tahoma at 8 p.m. Saturday at Curtis High School in Tacoma for the bi-district title.

At stake for Camas, besides the tournament victory, is a potential No. 1 seed from the WIAA committee going into the state tournament. At 20-3, Camas is a lock for a top-four seed — assuring of a home-area state regional game — but is in the mix for a No. 1 seed, as well.

Camas has yet to lose to a Washington team this season.

“This team keeping piling up accomplishments, but it is important to the girls to continue to enjoy these moments so that none of this is lost on us,” Camas coach Scott Thompson said. “Winning the bi-district tournament would be a massive achievement that has never been done in school history.”

On Wednesday, it was a balanced attack for the Papermakers. Sophie Buzzard scored 13 points, while Parker Mairs and Addison Harris each had 12 points. Kendall Mairs grabbed 13 rebounds. 

Next, it’s the bi-district title game.

“Last week we took a moment to look up at the rafters of the gym,” Thompson said. “The recent success of our program is well documented by the league titles and last year’s fourth-in-state. We talked about the opportunity that we have in this tournament, and near after. We all decided this tournament would be very special to win. We want these nets.”

Also in 4A girls, Union fell to Decatur 51-48 on Wednesday, ending its season. Earlier in the week, Skyview lost and fell out of contention for a trip to state.

In 4A boys, Camas is playing in the bi-district semifinals Thursday night against Curtis. The Camas boys have already clinched a trip to state regionals.

The big news for 4A boys from Clark County came from Union on Wednesday night. The Titans went on the road and topped Kentridge 55-47. Yanni Fassilis scored 22 points and was a beast on defense. 

Union now has two games to win one in order to make it state. The Titans will host Emerald Ridge at 6 p.m. Friday. If Union wins, the Titans are going to state. If Union loses, the Titans will play Saturday for a final shot.

That is exactly where the Mountain View boys stand, too. The Thunder saved their season Wednesday night with a 54-49 victory over Capital in the 3A bi-district consolation bracket. That puts them in a two-to-win-one scenario, as well. Mountain View will host North Thurston on Friday night. Winner advances to state. Loser gets a final chance on Saturday.

There are no more Clark County teams in the 3A bi-district girls tournament.

In 2A girls, the 2A Greater St. Helens League champions from Columbia River got all defensive on Ridgefield in a winner-to-state game Wednesday. The Rapids took care of business 58-38 to secure one of the district’s four state berths.

Meanwhile, Mark Morris ended Woodland’s season 49-39.

In 2A boys, R.A. Long will face Mark Morris for the district championship on Friday. But on Thursday night, there are two winner-to-state, loser-done games. Ridgefield is taking on Black Hills and Woodland will face Tumwater. Both games are in Longview.

In Class 1A, Seton Catholic clinched a trip to state in girls basketball earlier this week and has advanced to the district tournament’s championship game. The Cougars play Montesano on Friday. 

The King’s Way Christian girls lost Wednesday in an elimination game.

The King’s Way Christian boys are going to state and the district title game. The Knights are taking on Elma in the district title game Friday night.

La Center is taking on Eatonville in the consolation semifinals on Thursday. In the other semi, Seton Catholic is facing Hoquiam. The winners will play each other Saturday for the final spot to state from the district.