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News / Sports / Prep Sports

All-Region girls basketball: Addison Harris, Camas

Papermakers’ coach says his 2-time 4A GSHL MVP has arrived as a player

By Meg Wochnick, Columbian staff writer
Published: March 17, 2023, 7:35pm
6 Photos
Addison Harris, The Columbian's All-Region girls basketball player of the year, is pictured Monday afternoon, March 13, 2023.
Addison Harris, The Columbian's All-Region girls basketball player of the year, is pictured Monday afternoon, March 13, 2023. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian) Photo Gallery

From signing autographs for youngsters to talking basketball with retirees, Addison Harris understands the impact Camas High’s girls basketball program made in 2022-23.

The week of the Class 4A state tournament’s Opening Round and almost two weeks before Camas played for its first-ever state championship in girls basketball, the current Papermaker players and coaches visited Springwood Landing Retirement Center in Vancouver.

Chats ranged from basketball to life experiences. The residents were inspired by the current generation of Papermakers, but Harris took away something else that still sticks with her.

“How inspirational they are,” she said.

It’s all part of a memorable season for Harris, The Columbian’s All-Region girls basketball player of the year, helping lead Camas to its best season in girls basketball.

Even more so, head coach Scott Thompson said Harris has arrived as a basketball player. And that goes beyond being a two-time 4A Greater St. Helens League MVP.

“She’s gotten to the point where she’s taking on some of the top players in the country,” Thompson said, “and going toe to toe with them. She’s just going to continue to grow and be special.”

Harris is more than a 6-foot-2 athletic post with a long wingspan and runs the floor with the best of them. This winter, Thompson challenged the junior to be more of a perimeter shooting threat.

The goal: attempt one 3-pointer per game. Harris delivered in all facets, averaging 17.2 points and 10.5 rebounds per game while shooting 53 percent from the floor.

But perhaps her best moments are what Harris shared with her teammates. All season, Camas prided itself on passing — passing up a good shot for a better one.

In December, when it lost 58-53 to the nation’s top team, Sierra Canyon (Calif.), the Papermakers learned just what kind of a team they are. That’s the game Harris went toe to toe with Juju Watkins, a University of Southern California signee recently named the Gatorade National Player of the Year.

“That’s our recipe for winning,” Harris said of her team’s passing. “Like against Sierra Canyon, we’re not going to beat those guys going one-on-one. Passing, it’s our little niche. It’s worked for us, and it’s going to keep working for us.”

Camas never lost to a Washington team all season until falling to Eastlake, 48-41, in the Class 4A championship game at the Tacoma Dome. The second-place trophy is now displayed in the school’s trophy case.

Harris admits she hasn’t watched the state championship game played March 4. Not yet, she says, but soon.

“I’ve definitely been processing it,” she said. “I’m always thinking about that last game, running over and over what I could have done better.”

But the state experience now has Camas poised for an even bigger season in 2024. All seven players in their rotation return, including the player her head coach said has now arrived.

And a program that continues to be an inspiration for all ages.

“We’ve got a chip on our shoulder now,” Harris said. “We know what the Dome is like and we know what to expect.”

ALL-REGION GIRLS BASKETBALL

REST OF THE FIRST TEAM

Brooklynn Haywood, Union

Freshman led Clark County in scoring (26 ppg) and set program’s single-game scoring record (50 points).

Keanna Salavea, Heritage

Repeat All-Region pick named 3A GSHL MVP and led Timberwolves back to the postseason.

Riley Sanz, Camas

Junior shined brightest on the biggest stage: first-team all-4A tournament pick after averaging 10.4 points, 6.1 rebounds during the season.

Keirra Thompson, Camas

Papermakers’ pass-first general, all-4A tournament pick averaged nearly 7 assists per game on 4A state runner-up.

Anna Mooney, Seton Catholic

1A Trico MVP led Cougars to share of league title, first-ever state berth.

SECOND TEAM

Kimora Ross, Evergreen

Freshman helped guide Plainsmen to a postseason berth, first league crown since 1980.

Jordan Labrador-Hallett, Skyview

All-league guard and Multnomah University signee helped Storm reach bi-districts.

Ava Smith, Union

Consecutive All-Region selection a consistent 3-point threat. Averaged 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists per game.

Emma Iniguez, Columbia River

Averaged a double-double on Rapids’ first league-title team since 2006, first state berth since 2016.

Chloe Johnson, Washougal

2A GSHL co-MVP finishes career ranked second in single-season assists (100) and seventh in steals (77).

Alana Stephens, Hudson’s Bay

Breakout season by the versatile junior led to earning 2A GSHL co-MVP honors.

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