Last season was a first for Camas girls basketball.
An outright 4A Greater St. Helens League title joined the program’s co-league championship two years earlier. Naturally, with a strong nucleus of returnees to feed off the team’s inaugural trip to the Tacoma Dome, the Papermakers have their sights to return. But it might be tougher.
A season-ending knee injury to Cal State Fullerton-bound post Madison Freemon is forcing Camas to shuffle its offensive and defensive plays.
Call the Papermakers a work in progress for the rest of December, Coach Scott Preuninger said.
“I don’t know personnel-wise who should be playing there that’s going to make us the strongest and best team,” he said.
He’s tinkering at lineups and options, but mark his words: his Papermakers will be fine, and ready to defend its league title.
Waiting to challenge Camas in the league-title race is a young, but talented Union squad. The Titans have eight underclassmen, and new additions Toryi Midland and Mason Oberg have made an early impact.
It’s an almost entirely new roster at Skyview as well at a new coach. The Storm welcome Brett Johnson, who went 58-19 from 2014-16 at Prairie.
Johnson might be new to the league, but he’s done his homework. “Camas is the team I’m worried about,” he said.
Battle Ground, featuring four-year varsity player Morgan Stradley, looks to make strides in Coach Lisa May’s third season, while Heritage features a strong freshman class led by Katie Peneueta, who had a triple-double in her high school debut.
Projected finish
(Picks by Columbian sports staff)
1. Camas: Once offensive, defensive grooves are found, Papermakers could be a dangerous team.
2. Union: Titans are young, but newcomers have state tournament experience.
3. Skyview: Players already adjusting well to first-year coach Brett Johnson’s system.
4. Battle Ground: New offense could shake things up for Tigers.
5. Heritage: Katie Peneueta and Brianna Gould makes for fun combo to watch.
Individual team previews
Battle Ground: Coach hopes change in offense leads to turnaround
Camas: Papermakers reworking lineups after injury to senior post
