CAMAS — The Camas Papermakers are going to the Class 4A state girls basketball tournament.
The Battle Ground Tigers made them work for it, though.
Emma Jones was true on two free throws with 32 seconds left to break a 48-48 tie, then was in on a blocked shot to secure the lead, helping Camas to a 51-48 victory over the Tigers in the second-place game of the 4A District 4 girls basketball tournament Friday night.
The Papermakers should find out Sunday who they play and where they will play in the state round of 16. Battle Ground’s season came to an end.
“I wanted to do it for the seniors,” said Jones, a sophomore. “And I wanted to go to state. I just knew I had to make them, and I blocked everything else out.”
Battle Ground got the ball inside to Jossilyn Blackman — who had 24 points and 10 rebounds — but the Camas defense was waiting for her. Jones and Nikki Corbett timed her shot, and one or both of them got a piece of the ball.
Brenna Khaw then made one free throw with 13 seconds remaining. Battle Ground’s final 3-point shot went in-and-out.
“In that kind of game, we needed to keep our composure,” Khaw said. “We couldn’t just hand them the game and keep making mistake after mistake. It was really hard because their crowd got so excited.”
The Tigers faithful were hoping for a surprise outcome in this one. Camas shared the 4A Greater St. Helens League title with Skyview and beat Battle Ground three times earlier this season.
Battle Ground coach Joe Potter said Friday was his team’s best game of the season. That’s all one could ask for as a coach, he said.
Khaw finished with 14 points to lead a balanced Camas attack. Courtney Clemmer had 12 points and Corbett finished with 11.
Camas had a five-point lead with 1:45 to play, but points from Blackman and Emily Griffith got the Tigers back to a tie with 42 seconds to play. Griffith finished with 13 points.
Ten seconds later, Jones was at the line for Camas.
“There was so much noise,” Jones said.
Didn’t matter, she was focused.
It was that kind of mindset that helped Camas get over a tough loss against Skyview on Thursday in the district championship game. That forced the Papermakers into Friday’s elimination game.
“Mentally strong,” Khaw said. “You can’t let Skyview beat you twice. You have to put that behind you and move on.”
Camas is moving on … to state.
CAMAS 51, BATTLE GROUND 48
BATTLE GROUND — Emily Griffith 13, Kayla Cruz 4, Alena Jarvis 3, Kylie Smith 2, Jossilyn Blackman 24, Isabel Luke 0, Grace Russell 2, Morgan Stradley 0, Madison Reeves 0, Marlayna Gillette 0. Totals 21-56 (2-11) 4-10 48.
CAMAS — Meghan Finley 2, Brenna Khaw 14, Emma Jones 6, Nikki Corbett 11, Courtney Clemmer 12, Teague Schroeder 6, Madison Freemon 0, Rachel Gray 0. Totals 18-47 (2-10) 13-18 51.
Battle Ground 13 12 13 10—48
Camas 20 10 11 10—51
