PORTLAND — The game got away from the Camas boys basketball team in the second half Friday night, but the Papermakers will keep the experience of playing on an NBA floor in an NBA arena for a lot longer than they will remember this game.
“It was just really special,” said Trevor Jasinsky, who was one of three Papermakers to score 10 points against Columbia Christian of Portland in a game at the Moda Center, home of the Portland Trail Blazers.
“It’s something every kid dreams about, to play on an NBA court. To play with my best friends was really fun.”
Vancouver resident Arkadiy Mkrtychyan led Columbia Christian with 22 points, and the Knights pulled away in the second half for a 76-50 victory.
Camas fell to 7-2 in the non-league schedule, but this was the toughest opponent to date. Columbia Christian has two 6-foot-8, Division I signees. Kameron Chatman had 18 points, 14 rebounds, and six steals. He is headed to Michigan. Mkrtychyan is going to Idaho.
Camas kept with the Knights for a half, using a pressure defense that forced 15 turnovers in the first two quarters. Columbia Christian led 36-31 at the break.
The Knights took control with a 16-2 run to open the second half.
But again, this particular game was not just about winning or losing for the Papermakers.
“The kids are having a lot of fun,” Camas coach Skyler Gillespie said, referring to pre-game, warming-up on the Trail Blazers logo. “Even I went out there to shoot before the game. I got a few shots up.”
During the game, Jasinsky ended up with a breakaway and a dunk at the place that used to be known as the Rose Garden.
“I’ve got a couple on the season, but the thought of doing it here, the same place as all those famous people,” Jasinsky said. “It’s a cool feeling, that’s for sure. Just being here is cool, let alone dunking.”
Jaskinsky let out a big scream after he took it to the rim.
Because it is an NBA floor, the 3-point line is farther away than the typical high school dimension. That didn’t deter Jordan Lenard, who buried a 3-pointer for the Blazers, er, Papermakers.
“Deeper than usual,” he said. “Before the game, my first couple of shots were way, way short. I said, ‘I’m going to have to use more legs.’ Then I hit a few in pre-game.”
Still, he surprised himself with his 3-ball in the game.
“It felt really long,” he said. “And then it went in.”
Jordan Anderson and Nick Lopes also had 10 points for the Papermakers. Lenard finished with six.
The Papermakers will now turn their attention to league play. They face Skyview in a Class 4A Greater St. Helens League opener on Monday. Jasinsky and Leonard say they have something to prove. They have heard a lot of people do not believe in their 7-2 record, just picking up wins against smaller programs.
“Nobody really knows us yet,” Jasinsky said. “We’re ready to make some noise.”
Lenard agreed.
“We’re going to surprise some teams,” he said. “I think we have a lot to offer.”
The league games will determine postseason berths and bragging rights for Clark County. Regardless of how it turns out for the Papermakers, they can already say they have NBA (court) talent.
COLUMBIA CHRISTIAN 76, CAMAS 50
CAMAS — Jordan Anderson 10, Brandon Nguyen 0, Jordan Lenard 6, Trevor Jasinsky 10, Nick Lopes 10, Jake Hansel 4, Andre De Los Rios 0, James Price 0, Josh Ryan 2, Kantas Zalpys 0, Bryan Nguyen 2, Jayce Allen 2, Ethan Unger 4. Totals 22-62 (1-13) 5-8 50.
COLUMBIA CHRISTIAN — Israel Hammond 4, Kameron Chatman 18, Isaac Bonton 13, Arkadiy Mkrtychyan 22, Luke Moody 7, Robert Bristol 2, Lucas Aguilar 2, Daniel Vensel 4, Hunter Endresen 4. Totals 34-58 (2-5) 6-7 76.
Camas 14 17 10 9–50
Columbia Christian 20 16 20 20–76
