“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.
