An incredible defensive display leads Skyview to the elite eight

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

The Class 4A Greater St. Helens League is well represented at the Class 4A boys basketball state tournament.

The Skyview Storm are still alive, heading to the quarterfinals on Thursday. 

The Camas Papermakers are done, but only after giving the 4-seed one incredible battle Wednesday in the round of 12.

Here is how it went down for the 4A GSHL boys Wednesday in the Tacoma Dome:

No. 11 Skyview 55, No. 6 Federal Way 47

That Skyview defense.

Wow. 

Just wow.

Skyview boys basketball coach Matt Gruhler said last week this team might be the best defensive squad he has ever coached.

After Wednesday, he might revise his comment. 

Might be the best?

How about absolutely the best?

Skyview played great defense all game, allowing time for its offense to get hot in the second half, and the Storm are heading to the Class 4A boys basketball state quarterfinals.

Damaree Collins scored 21 points, including six in a row in the second half that gave Skyview some breathing room, in a 55-47 victory over Federal Way in a round-of-12 game Wednesday in the Tacoma Dome.

Skyview, the No. 11-seed, will face No. 5 Davis at 3:45 p.m. Thursday.

Federal Way scored seven points in the first couple of minutes of Wednesday’s game. Then scored a total of 40 points the next 30 minutes of action. 

The Storm, who trailed for most of the first half, got hot from 3-point range in the third quarter. Gavin Perdue’s 3-pointer with 3:24 left in the period tied the game at 31-all. He buried his next shot attempt, too — another 3-pointer — to give Skyview the lead. 

After Federal Way tied it again, it was time for Javen Fletch, who made a 3-pointer on his first shot of the game. 

Collins finished the quarter with a driving layup just before the horn for a 39-36 Skyview lead. Collins would then score the first four points of the fourth quarter, pushing the lead to seven points. 

Federal Way never recovered. The Eagles never again would have the ball with a chance to tie or take the lead. 

It was total Skview domination in the second half. 

A few minutes later, it was Fletch again. True again from 3-point range. 

Jaxon Filler added another bucket for the Storm to make it a 10-point lead at 48-38.

Malakai Weimer had 11 points, eight rebounds, and three assists for Skyview. Perdue, who finished with 11 points, as well, made three 3-pointers. He also grabbed seven rebounds.

No. 4 Glacier Peak 65, No. 13 Camas 61

It is going to take some time for the Camas Papermakers to appreciate what they accomplished this year.

They got back to the dome for the second consecutive year, one of the final 12 teams still playing in Class 4A boys basketball. 

And they were so close to going to the elite eight.

Still, they will be wondering “what if?” after Wednesday night’s game.

Glacier Peak roared back from a 20-point first-half deficit, ending Camas’ season. 

Zachary Albright’s basket with 19 seconds left broke a 61-61 tie. After a Camas miss on the other end, Glacier Peak sealed the victory with two free throws with four seconds to play.

Beckett Currie was described on the NFHS broadcast as “ridiculous,” Making shots from all over the place for the Papermakers. He finished with 26 points on 10 of 17 shooting, including 5 of 6 from 3-point range.

In fact, Camas made nine 3-pointers in the first half, building up a 36-24 lead at the break. At one point, Camas led 32-12.

Ethan Harris made four 3-pointers and finished with 14 points. Jace VanVoorhis had 10 points, five rebounds, and five assists.

Glacier Peak responded in the second half, though, led by Isaiah Cuellar-Bell, who finished with 24 points. He made four 3-pointers.

Albright finished with 14 points and 14 rebounds for the Grizzlies.