Camas boys get first state berth since 1964

CAMAS — Behind a second half 3-point barrage Friday, the Camas Papermakers advanced to state for the first time since 1964, beating Battle Ground 60-50 in the 4A district second-place game.

Camas hit a whopping 11 3-pointers compared to just three for the Tigers.

Trevor Jasinsky led the Papermakers with 17 points, but Camas also had four other players with eight points or more.

First up Friday night was Battle Ground’s Devin Johnson. He set up shop on the low block, causing the Camas defense to shift toward him.

In the backcourt for Battle Ground, Nate Moring scored 15 points and was aggressive off the dribble. He worked to get to the basket and to the foul line but ultimately, Moring and Johnson could not overcome the Papermakers.

Battle Ground led at halftime by three points with Johnson dominating the proceedings.

“We knew something had to change,” Jasinsky said. “We knew we were a better team than we were in the first half. We came in and said we need to execute, we need to take open shots.

As for Johnson, he never ceased being a game-changing presence on both ends. His defense helped change shots in the middle and when dribblers came into the lane.

But Battle Ground was unable to get him the ball as often and Camas’ defense worked tirelessly to deny it from him.

“He’s huge. He makes me look small out there,” Jasinsky said of trying to contain Johnson. “He’s a really strong player. We needed to help. I was going to wall up the best I could on him. I have to thank my teammates for it. I couldn’t have done it by myself.”

Camas needed all five players to help contain him to just four points in the second half.

Offensively, Camas also made a small tweak to things. Head coach Skylar Gillispie elected to start junior guard Ethan Unger in the second half, who came off the bench to start the game.

Unger finished with 10 points and did his job well.

“With the preparation that we’ve had this whole season in practices, I knew that if we just ran our stuff I knew that we would succeed no matter what,” Unger said.

Jasinsky was the focal point of the offense, setting screens and rolling to the hoop. Camas’ shooters executed their second half game plan to a T.

And now after the big win, their eyes turn to the state tournament, where the program hasn’t been in 51 years.

The two teams split the season series but now Camas moves on.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” Jasinsky said. “As a school, we haven’t been here since 1964. So we’re just happy to be here. It’s still so surreal.”

“It’s a great feeling,” Unger said. “To do it with this group of guys is even more special. We all know that there is still business ahead of us and we’re going to prepare our best just like any other game for that.”

Johnson also had three blocks on the night for Battle Ground.

Battle Ground had only two field goals in the fourth quarter.

For Camas, their journey in the state tournament begins next week.

CAMAS 60, BATTLE GROUND 50

BATTLE GROUND — Joe Carroll 0, Nate Moring 15, Kellen Butler 0, Cole Schiebel 0, Kobe Ford 4, Zackary Palacios 3, Devin Johnson 18, Andrej Besara 6, Leland O’Hanlon 0, Daelon Floyd 0, Rennie Mendoza 8, Keaton Hoots 2. Totals 16 (3) 15-24.

CAMAS — Jake Hansel 9, Andre De Los Rios 9, Jordan Anderson 8, Ethan Unger 10, Cam Vega 0, Jayce Allen 0, Kantas Zalpys 0, Matt Murphy 0, Brocky Fielding 0, Trevor Jasinsky 17, Pico 0, Brian Nguyen 0. Totals 18 (11) 13-21.

Battle Ground 14 14 9 13—50

Camas 11 14 19 16—60