By Dan Trujillo

What started out as a 20-0 smashing turned into a nail-biting 46-44 victory for the Camas girls against their rivals from down the road Tuesday.

“Our goal is to start out super strong and get that comfortable lead in the beginning,” said senior guard Jillian Webb. “But, I think we got too comfortable in this game and almost let it slip right through our fingers.”

Webb delivered three 3-pointers out of the gate. Haley Hanson and Marianna Payne also attacked the rim, and Jordyn Wilds drained a three of the her own to give the Papermakers a 20-0 advantage before the first buzzer sounded.

“Before the game started, I told Haley I was feeling it,” Webb said. “She told me to bring it right away. I wasn’t kidding, I guess.”

The Titans clicked in the second half, and bombarded the Papermakers with six 3-pointers. Union rallied within two points in the final minutes of the game, but Camas never relinquished its advantage.

After the final buzzer, Webb pumped her fist in the air.

“I felt like I was going to throw up. I was so anxious,” she said. “It was just us having faith in each other. ‘We got this. Don’t let it slip away.'”

As the game got physical, the Papermakers turned it up a notch. Maggie Wells delivered tough baskets and foul shots for 3-point plays. Courtney Clemmer played relentless in the paint, grabbed rebounds and made foul shots.

Payne devoured the Titans on the boards. At one point, she missed a foul shot but got to the ball first off the rim and put it right back up for two more points.

Basketball

Maggie Wells powers in two points and earns a foul shot. “Don’t sleep on her,” said teammate Jillian Webb. “She always has something up her sleeve.”

“I take the physicality as a boost,” she said. “I like the intensity. It makes me work a lot harder.”

Although she is just a sophomore, Payne is a force on the floor. Every day, she’s learning what it takes to be a varsity basketball player from the seven seniors on the team.

“Off the court, I love to cheer for them because they are so nice and they’re really helpful,” Payne said. “On the court, I do as much as I can to provide for my team.”

On Tuesday, Camas learned not to take Union lightly. This rivalry is only just beginning.

“No matter how big the lead, just keep playing hard all four quarters instead of just the first quarter,” Webb said. “Be a four-quarter team. Play hard the whole game, not just when we want to.”

Frustrating night for Camas boys

No matter how many times the Papermakers got within one point of their rivals, the Titans buried them again.

Union made eight 3-pointers in the game, including five by Tyler Combs, to defeat Camas 70-61.

Isaiah Sampson propelled the Papermakers 24 points and 14 rebounds, but Camas could never regain the lead after losing it in the second quarter.

“I just wanted to dominate. I knew that’s what I needed to help the team,” Sampson said. “They were getting to the rack easy. We changed it up, but started giving them space and they started knocking down threes. We just have to be ready for anything.”

The Titans charged ahead by 12 in the fourth quarter. Ben Cooke and Tre Carlisle kept hope alive for the Papermakers with 3-pointers. Camas cut the deficit down to three in the final 10 seconds, but couldn’t get any closer.

Basketball

Tre Carlisle drains a 3.

“We’re a hard-nosed team,” Cooke said. “We’re going to keep battling no matter the output, no matter the deficit, no matter the score.”

Cooke was thrilled to see Sampson take over the game from the start. He scored six points out of the gate, including a dunk that sent the fans into a frenzy.

“I see that every day in practice,” Cooke said. “He’s a big time player. He’s going to do big things and he’s going to go big places.”

After frustrating losses to Skyview and Union at home, Camas looks forward to the rematches: Jan. 19 at Skyview and Jan. 26 at Union.

“Those games are definitely circled on the schedule,” Cooke said. “This left a bad taste in our mouth, but we’ll keep working and get that win the next time.”

The Camas basketball teams host Battle Ground in The Warehouse Friday. The boys tip off first at 5:30 p.m., followed by the girls at 7 p.m.

Photo Gallery

Photos by Dan Trujillo

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To learn more, visit www.chs.camas.wednet.edu

Washougal, WA — Mayor Molly Coston and City Councilors Paul Greenlee, Ray Kutch, and Julie Russell took their ceremonious oath of offices Monday night at the Washougal City Council’s first public meeting of 2018. They were all sworn in by Judge John Hagensen.

Coston had already assumed her duties, and Monday’s oath was a ceremonious one. Greenlee, Kutch, and Russell took their oaths together, and the the council went about its public meeting.

”I’m very excited to be here,” said Coston, who went on to address high residential growth, which she said brings “big benefits and challenges.”

Russell is new to Washougal, and won her first city council race in November. She has already been assigned her committee duties: Finance, Public Works, Cemetery, and Parks.

“Since I’m new on the council, Finance and Public Works are good places to start,” said Russell, “to get a feel of where the money goes, and how the Public Works Department works.”

Washougal

City Councilors Paul Greenlee, Ray Kutcher, and Julie Russell take the oath of office.

The council heard from the public on the following:

Port of Camas-Washougal Waterfront Plans: High level plans for the area will be unveiled later this month.

Proposed Washougal bike park: Ed Fischer and Jan Verander urged the council to keep the proposed bike park moving along, as it was recently halted. Coston said the project was discussed at Monday’s workshop and that the council wants to move forward with the bike park. Verander said the park “is a great place to have an imagination, and some kids are solo people.”

The council also voted on some resolutions:

  • Minutes
  • Major accounts payable and payroll claims
  • New personnel policies

Coston had a brief mayor’s report, and the council took turns welcoming it newest members.

To learn more, visit www.cityofwashougal.us

Washougal

Julie Russell signs her oath of office at the conclusion of Monday’s Washougal City Council meeting.

 

Washougal

Washougal Mayor, Molly Coston, takes the oath of office from Judge John Hagensen.

 

By Dan Trujillo

The Lees wrestling name will hang on the walls of the Joe Brown Gymnasium at Washougal High School forever.

Before the Panthers beat Mark Morris 54-27 in a league duel Thursday, head girls coach Heather Carver and the community honored Abby Lees with a 2017 state championship plaque. Her younger brother, Scott, climbed up the ladder and hung it next to Abby’s other banner from 2015.

Abby Lees earned a record of 105-6 for Washougal. She wrestled in four state finals matches at the Tacoma Dome and won two titles.

“Wrestling is like our family heritage,” Tanner Lees said. “We have a mat in our living room we can use all the time.”

“It’s what keeps our family together,” Scott Lees added. “When we get home, sometimes our dad might get us in a headlock and start teaching us.”

Tanner and Scott Lees are climbing their own ladders. The brothers wrapped up 2017 with Washougal River Rumble championships. Tanner finished in fourth place at state last season and hopes to win it all this year. Scott also wants to wrestle at the Tacoma Dome, in February, and bring home a medal.

 

Lees

Scott Lees turns his opponent into a pin fall predicament.

Scott and Tanner pinned their opponents from Mark Morris Thursday. Tanner Klopman, Andrew Hopple, Jason Powell, Jeffrey Wells, Mason Armstrong, Dakota Andleman and Bryce Williams also won their matches for Washougal.

As a team, the Panthers finished in first place at the Washougal River Rumble. They racked up 205 points to win the 13-school tournament. Centralia took second place with 159 points.

Cole Pass clinched the 126-pound championship for Washougal. He beat Centralia’s Dayvi Gaspar 6-1 in the final match.

Scott Lees defeated Castle Rock’s Elijah Bell 12-7 in the 132 title match. Tanner Lees pinned all four his opponents to finish first at 152 pounds.

Hopple took second place at 145 and Andleman earned second at 285. Jonathan Wells, Blake Webb, Klopman, Powell and Armstrong reached the third- and fourth-place round. Gus Shelley and Williams got to the fifth- and sixth-place rounds.

On Jan. 12 and 13, the Washougal boys and girls wrestling teams will compete in the Clark County Championships, at Skyview High School.

 

Lees

Jason Powell drives his opponent into the mat.

 

Lees

Andrew Hopple pins his opponent.

 

Lees

Tanner Klopman (right) locks up with a Mark Morris Monarch in the last match of the evening. The Panthers manhandled the Monarchs 54-27.

By Dan Trujillo

Camas High School basketball players, coaches and fans have been waiting months for the first league doubleheader of the season.

Papermaker basketball fans, young and old, came to The Warehouse Wednesday to see the next chapter in the Camas, Skyview rivalry.

“The crowd was awesome,” said senior Tre Carlisle. “I want that every game. Even louder.”

“Every time the band comes, they double the size of the crowd. And then when you add all the noise, it definitely changes the atmosphere,” said head boys coach Ryan Josephson.

The Camas boys rallied from 13 points down in the fourth quarter to get within two before time expired, but the Storm held on for a 53-51 victory to remain undefeated.

The Camas girls turned an 18-0 start into a 63-14 victory. The Papermakers held Skyview to just one field goal in the first half, and led 27-3 at the break. Hannah Booth, Haley Hanson, Brooklyn Pauscha and company hit a bunch of 3-pointers in the onslaught.

Basketball

Hannah Booth led an offensive outburst by the Camas girls basketball team against Skyview. The Papermakers blew the Storm out of the building, 63-14.

The boys game featured a series of scoring barrages by both teams. Camas jumped out to a 9-3 lead on threes by Ben Cooke and Carson Bonine. Skyview tied the score and then took an 8-point advantage.

The Papermakers reclaimed the lead before halftime. Jack Glikbarg ignited the offense with two threes, another basket and a foul shot for a 3-point play to make it 28-25 Camas.

“My brother told me, ‘If I wear his shoes, I have to shoot,'” Glikbarg said. “I was feeling good this game. It was fun.”

Glikbarg led the Papermakers with 13 points. He showed no fear attacking the basket, drawing fouls and clapping his hands together.

“That’s his trademark,” Carlisle said.

“He has an endless motor,” Josephson added. “It doesn’t matter if it’s the first quarter or the fourth quarter.”

Basketball

Jack Glikbarg nets a three from up top.

Skyview had the momentum going into the fourth quarter. Slowly, Camas chipped away on baskets by Bonine, Carlisle and Glikbarg.

Down by three with 11 seconds left, the Papermakers took an open shot from behind the 3-point line, but the ball rolled in and out of the basket. The Storm increased their lead to five at the foul line. Cooke beat the buzzer with a final 3-pointer, but Camas still lost by two.

Josephson had some questions going into the final quarter. Did Skyview just get hot at the right time or was Camas giving up?

“The great thing is, our guys didn’t show that. They battled right to the end,” Josephson said. “That’s what I’ve known about these guys since they were sophomores. They have always had that resilience.”

Now, he’s curious to see how the Papermakers handle this adversity after winning their first eight games of the season.

“I hope this fuels their fire again, and reminds them that they are the dark horse in the league,” Josephson said. “They’re nobody’s league favorites. They have to show up every day, put in the work and battle to beat these teams.”

Basketball

Tre Carlisle challenges a defender.

 

Basketball

Isaiah Sampson tries to shoot over a few Skyview defenders.

 

Basketball

Jordyn Wilds drives to the hoop for Camas.

To learn more, visit www.chs.camas.wednet.edu

 

A Special Election is being held on February 13 to address four measures across several Clark County cities.

Here are the four resolutions that citizens will vote on:

  • City of Camas Resolution No. 17-016: This concerns the renewal of the city’s expiring Emergency Medical Services (EMS) levy. The proposition calls for a levy each year for a period of six consecutive years beginning in 2019, and will be a general tax on taxable property within city limits — in an amount not to exceed $0.46 per $1,000 of assessed value of such property. The levy will provide funds for continued EMS services.
  • Battle Ground has a proposal to relieve overcrowding and improve infrastructure in its schools.
  • Evergreen Schools has a resolution concerting a general obligation bond to provide funds to construct, equip, renovate and make certain capital improvements throughout the school district.
  • La Center School District has a resolution concerning a proposition to relieve overcrowding and improve infrastructure in several schools.

Key Dates:

  • Military/overseas ballots mailed – January 12
  • Deadline to update your existing registration – January 15
  • Deadline to register online – January 15
  • Deadline to register by mail – Postmarked by January 15
  • Ballots mailed – January 26
  • Deadline for new Washington voter registrations (in person only) – February 5

There are three ways to register, if you haven’t done so:

  • Online if you have a Washington sate ID or driver’s license.
  • In person at the Clark County Elections Office at 1408 Franklin St. Vancouver
  • By mail with a voter registration form available by mail or download from the office of Secretary of State.

For registration information, visit https://www.clark.wa.gov/elections/voter-registration

More full details on the election, see https://www.clark.wa.gov/elections

By Dan Trujillo

All for Washougal stood up and hollered when Beyonce Bea eclipsed 1,000 points and 600 rebounds in her high school basketball career Wednesday.

“It felt amazing,” she said. “It was really nice to do it at home. That’s what we all wanted, because the fans and my teammates made it happen and helped me get to this point.”

But more importantly to Bea, the Panthers defeated Hockinson 79-67 to improve to 3-0 in league play.

“The fact that it was a home game against a tough league opponent that we all love to beat … that just made it more special,” she said.

Bea came into the game 27 points shy of 1,000. She finished with 33 points, shooting 11-for-16 from the field and 11-for-14 from the foul line. She also racked up 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals and 4 blocks.

“Her teammates found her when she was open. They kept feeding her the ball. She was hot,” said head coach Britney Knotts.

Once Bea got to one thousand in the fourth quarter, Knotts called timeout so she could give the Panther a ball signed by her teammates and coaches.

Bea

Beyonce Bea takes home the game ball and another one signed by her teammates and coaches. The Washougal High School junior ranks fourth all-time with 1,006 points.

“It was amazing,” Knotts said. “I’ve never had a player reach a thousand. Those are things you hear about.”

Skylar Bea also had a big night for Washougal. The freshman collected 15 points and 8 rebounds. McKinley Stotts added 9 points and 5 rebounds. Ashley Gibbons netted 8 points. Kiara Cross chipped in 4 points, 6 assists and 9 rebounds.

Beyonce Bea is already the best rebounder in school history. She ranks fourth in career scoring with 1,006 points. Krissy Bassett holds Washougal’s all-time record with 1,351 points, followed by Alyssa Blankenship (1,241) and Kim Rink (1,169).

Bassett and Blankenship eclipsed 1,000 points when they were high school seniors. Bea is just a junior.

“I dedicate this to my parents and coaches,” Bea said. “They all have pushed me and they believe in me. Without them, it wouldn’t have been possible.”

Lacamas Athletic Club, Camas, WA — The Papermaker swim team hosted Battle Ground and Prairie High Schools at Wednesday’s dual meet, beating the competition but acknowledging they have more work to do, as a team, before next week’s Kelso meets.

They also made other news Wednesday: Camas has now qualified three relays for State, as well as Eric Wu in the 200m IM and 100m Back. Mark Kim also made a State cut in the 50m Free, and Jaden Kim in the 100 Fly.

“We’re adjusting after winter break,” said Camas co-captain, Finn McClone. “We didn’t look as good as we should. We’re in recovery from lack of winter training, although a few of us did double duty over the break.”

McClone, Eric Wu, and Dave Peddie put in extra swim training over the holidays to stay on track.

“As a team, we really need to fine tune our strokes,” said Wu. “And, Dave Peddie is an absolute workhorse. He’s very motivated, and he’s inspirational. We’ll be ready for the bigger meets.”

Plus, the boys tried something new Wednesday — Zach Macia sang the National Anthem as Jaden Kim and Dave Peddie held up the American flag.

“It was my own rendition,” said Macia. “I was inspired by Jake, Landon, and Luke to do it.”

Swim

Getting ready for the National Anthem. From left: Jaden Kim, Zach Macia, and Dave Peddie.

Swim Event Results

200m Medley Relay

  • 1st Place: Camas — Chris Xia, Jaden Kim, Eric Wu, Mark Kim (1:54.54)
  • 2nd Place: Battle Ground — Alex Curran, Marcelo Lombardi, Sam Anderson, Seth Colpitts (1:56.35)
  • 3rd Place: Camas — Josef Kiesenhofer, Dave Peddie, Jack Harris, Ben Taylor (2:06.17)

200m Free Relay

  • 1st Place: Finn McClone, Camas (2:02.28)
  • 2nd Place: Austin Fogel, Camas (2:09.05)
  • 3rd Place: Junha Lee (2:13.16)

200m IM

  • 1st Place: Eric Wu, Camas (2:15.12)
  • 2nd Place: Alex Curran, Battle Ground (2:25.30)
  • 3rd Place: Chris Xia, Camas (2:26.16)

50m Free

  • 1st Place: Mark Kim, Camas (25.05)
  • 2nd Place: Marcelo Lombardi, Battle Ground  (25.60)
  • 3rd Place: Ben Taylor, Camas (27.14)
Swim

50 Free Start.

100m Fly

  • 1st Place: Ben Jones, Prairie (54.94)
  • 2nd Place: Cameron Barnes, Battle Ground (56.14)
  • 3rd Place: Jaden Kim, Camas (59.06)

100m Free

  • 1st Place: Marcelo Lombardi, Battle Ground (56.94)
  • 2nd Place: Sam Anderson, Battle Ground (57.78)
  • 3rd Place: Junha Lee, Camas (58.80)

400m Free

  • 1st Place: Chris Xia, Camas (4:38.89)
  • 2nd Place: Colton Sadler, Prairie (5:01.08)
  • 3rd Place: Drew Forstrom, Battle Ground (5:25.41)

200m Free Relay

  • 1st Place: Battle Ground — Sam Anderson, Seth Colpitts, Alex Curran, Marcelo Lombardi (1:46.98)
  • 2nd Place: Camas — Austin Fogel, Ben Taylor, Luke Bales, Junha Lee (1:47.82)
  • 3rd Place: Prairie — Colton Sadler, Chase Clary, Nathan Tuck, Ben Jones (2:05.62)
Swim

Camas Co-Captain Finn McClone.

100m Back

  • 1st Place: Eric Wu, Camas (1:02.57)
  • 2nd Place: Alex Curran, Battle Ground (1:04.01)
  • 3rd Place: Isaiah Ross, Washougal (1:06.24)

100m Breast

  • 1st Place: Austin Fogel, Camas (1:12.81)
  • 2nd Place: Mark Kim, Camas (1:14.41)
  • 3rd Place: Sam Anderson, Battle Ground (1:22.80)

400m Free Relay

  • 1st Place: Camas — Mark Kim, Austin Fogel, Finn McClone, Luke Bales (4:02.28)
  • 2nd Place: Prairie — Ben Jones, Nathan Tuck, Chase Clary, Colton Sadler (4:06.20)
  • 3rd Place: Camas — Jack Harris, Junha Lee, Josef Kiesenhofer, Dave Peddie (4:23.84)

 

Swim Meet Gallery

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Camas, WA — During a Camas City Council meeting Tuesday night, Deanna Rusch was sworn into office by City Attorney, Shawn MacPherson.

Rusch was appointed to fill the seat left vacant by former City Councilor, Tim Hazen, who resigned his seat this Fall. Her committee assignments were also announced Tuesday night.

“I couldn’t be more excited to get to work for all of Camas,” Rusch said. “I learned tonight that I was appointed by Mayor Higgins to the Planning Commission, the Parks and Recreation Board, the Hotel Tax Advisory Commission, and I think the Joint Fire Task Force. I look forward to putting my skills to use and serving Camas.”

Her appointment makes the council fully complete, with 7 city councilors and Mayor Scott Higgins.

Rusch

Deanna Rusch takes the oath of office, which was administered by City Attorney, Shawn MacPherson.

“The process to appoint a council member is really rare,” said Higgins, “but when we do it’s really a defined process. The council interviews applicants, they have to live in the ward, and then the council members interview the candidates. We have rules to follow, and votes have to be done in public. The council did just that. We had really good candidates. And, they liked what they heard, and Deanna was sworn in tonight.”

During Tuesday’s council meeting, they approved a pre-annexation development agreement extension for property near Fisher Investments, and voted on an ordinance addressing animal noise.

The council also vote councilor Don Chaney as Mayor Pro Tem for 2018. That temporary position is to fulfill mayoral duties during the absence of the sitting mayor.

Rusch

The Camas City Council had just a few agenda items on Tuesday night.

To learn more, visit www.cityofcamas.us

Vancouver, WA — Camas wrestler Tanner Craig was down 3-0 against two-time Oregon state champion Joey Coste in the Finals match on Saturday at the Pacific Coast Wrestling Championship, but he was undaunted.

After the beginning of the second period, the mild-mannered Craig went into battle mode, turning the accomplished Coste into a pretzel, and winning the finals match 9-4.

“I just kept pushing, I knew I had a bigger gas tank than a lot of people I wrestle,” said Craig. “So I kept pushing, I ended up taking him down, and got some back points, which put me ahead by two, I kept pushing and got a take down. I knew I could outlast him.”

But, going into the match, Craig wasn’t so sure.

“It was a big deal for me to beat him,” said Craig. “He’s a two-time state champion, and I saw him wrestle last season. Going in, I thought I was going to lose to Coste, but then when I saw my name in the hole, I felt I could beat him.”

The win gives Craig a 30-1 record for this wrestling season.

Samuel Malychewski battled it out with Skyview’s Jackson McKinney and barely lost the highly anticipated finals match. Rylan Thompson placed second in his finals match, and Gideon Malychewski placed third at the tournament.

“I don’t know what drives Tanner,” said coach Cory Vom Baur. “But he goes 100 percent throughout every wrestling tournament. His dad was the same way, and he’s one of our coaches. He has good lungs, and he has a mindset about him where he knows he’s going to get his opponent tired, and that pays dividends. He’s a hard, hard worker.”

Vom Baur said the boys did well at PAC Coast, and that Samuel and Rylan’s matches were really close. The boys head to Bremerton for Gut Check, which is one the largest tournaments of the season.

To learn more, visit www.camaswrestling.com

Wrestling Images

 

Camas, WA — On a cold winter day during Christmas break, as most people were on vacation, the Camas Gymnastics team was hard at work practicing their floor routines, beams, vaults and bars — all with their eye on winning the State championship this season.

The talented team, lead by experienced gymnastics coach, Carol Willson, hasn’t lost a district meet in five years, and placed second last year at State, against perennial winner, Woodinville.

“They’re just amazing kids,” said Willson. “They’ve been doing this since they were little bitty. It’s about talent and experience. Lots of experience. Hard work, and lots of social time.”

The 22-member practices at least five days week, two or more hours at a time, and most compete in all four events (floor, beams, vaults, and bars).

Catching her breath after a floor routine practice, Joy Marsh explained how team bonding is a big contributor to their success.

“Most of us compete together in club so we know each other well,” said Marsh. “We just get along with each other. Everyone works really hard — we’re a very focused team.”

Sophomore Lizzy Wing made a return to the sport after a four-year hiatus.

“I did gymnastics until I was 11, then I did competitive cheer, and took a break from that,” said sophomore, Lizzy Wing. “Then I did football cheer, and then I had nothing to do, so I thought I’d do gymnastics.”

And, they love having her on the team.

“She has a lot of talent and drive,” said Willson, of Wing. “We happy to have her.”

Willson said she’s excited about what’s happening with their team, as new athletes have joined the team. She’s also excited about the future.

“We have several girls in middle school right now that are really good,” said Willson. “We’d really like to win State, and these girls are driven. They’re focused. The future is bright.”

Their next meet is Saturday, January 6 at Naydenov in Vancouver. We will post details from those events.

Gymnastics Team Roster

This year’s team includes:

  • Shea McGee
  • Alyssa Shibata
  • Jacqueline Purwins
  • Madison Martin
  • Joy Marsh
  • Morgan MacIntyre
  • Michaela Lasher
  • Amber Harris
  • Kaitlyn Blair
  • Annika Affleck
  • Siena Brophy
  • Annie Danielson
  • Rachel Nicacio
  • Quyen Do
  • Hallen McCallum
  • Abby Martin
  • Grace Alonzo
  • Lyne McGee
  • Lizzy Wing
  • MacKenzie Merritt
  • Katie Stevens (Washougal)
  • Hannah Sturgis

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To learn more visit, www.chs.camas.wednet.edu