TACOMA — Haley Hanson couldn’t wait for the coaching staff to get back inside the lockerroom before sprinting out and asking for a camera.
Only after big victories, such as Wednesday’s 53-39 win over Union to open the Class 4A Hardwood Classic, do the Camas girls basketball players celebrate postgame with a common chant said by fans: “I believe that we will win.”
Except this one is slightly edited, of course, to reflect the game’s outcome: “I believe that we just won.”
“That was a fun one,” said Camas guard Haley Hanson, who finished with 10 points.
The Papermakers believed and achieved to advance to Thursday’s 4A state quarterfinals for the second year in a row behind nine made 3-pointers and a string of scoring runs to dispatch their league rivals for a third time.
Just like Wednesday’s familiarity of opponents, Thursday’s is a familiar one, too. It’s Eastlake, a team Camas topped in the first round of the Hardwood Classic last year to earn the program’s first state win.
“It’s exciting,” guard Jillian Webb said. “… Going into it, we’re excited and confident in our team.”
Courtney Clemmer posted game-highs in points (11) and rebounds (12) in her double-double and Hanson’s 10 included 3 of 7 shooting from 3-point range. As a team, Camas hit 9 of 21 from behind the arc.
And when the 3s were draining, that’s when the game got fun, Webb said.
“That brought up a lot of energy and helped us,” she said.
For Webb, she drilled a pair of bookend 3s — one to begin the third-quarter scoring, and one to end it in the quarter’s final seconds. The latter pushed Camas’ lead to 41-26 as part of the team’s largest run of the game: 12-0.
Union (18-8), though, never went away quietly.
Its 10-0 run included holding Camas scoreless for 4-plus minutes in the second quarter to pull within 18-17.
That’s when 3s and another scoring run was clutch for Camas. Brooklyn Pascua’s second 3 of the half helped end the scoring drought as Camas ended the half on a 8-2 run.
After dispatching the Titans in both 4A GSHL meetings (46-44 and 55-53), the Papermakers led from their first possession on when Marianna Payne buried a 3 to match Rebekah Barney’s opening basket for Union.
But by the end of the first quarter, six players already scored for Camas compared to two for Union.
That strength played a key part in the Papermakers’ win.
“Our whole team contributed,” said Webb.
Reaching the Tacoma Dome is what the Titans can appreciate, despite their season ending at 18-8.
Coach Mike Cranston said, despite the loss ending their season at 18-8, he and his players learned a lot about what it takes to not only reach the Tacoma Dome, but win a game.
“There’s no substitute for that experience factor,” he said.
Still, he said he’s proud of Union’s season of firsts that included its first trip playing inside the Tacoma Dome and a memorable postseason run. That included winning three loser-out games, including an upset of Todd Beamer in a bi-district rematch at regionals.
Mackenzie Lewis led Union with 10 points Wednesday and Abbey Kaip and Rebekah Barney added eight.
After their loss, the Union girls soaked in more of the state atmosphere by supporting their boys counterparts, which lost to Kamiak, 57-48.
“It’s our first run at it,” Mike Cranston said, “Overall it’s been a great experience for us.
“We’re excited for the future.”
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CAMAS 53, UNION 39
UNION — Alexis Raymore 3, Mason Oberg 6, Rebekah Barney 8, Mackenzie Lewis 10, Courtney Cranston 0, Makenna Vega 0, Abbey Kaip 8, Madison McKay 0, Lily Caplice 2, Kanyel Carpenter 2, Lolo Weatherspoon 0. Totals 14 (6) 5-7 39.
CAMAS — Jillian Webb 6, Haley Hanson 10, Marianna Payne 5, Maggie Wells 8, Courtney Clemmer 11, Jordyn Wilds 3, Katelkynn Forner 0, Hannah Booth 0, Brooklyn Pascua 6, Faith Bergstrom 0, Ka’Iulani Waren 0, Jalena Carlisle 4. Totals 19 (9) 6-10 53
Union 7 13 6 13 – 39
Camas 16 10 15 12 – 53
