Camas will be fine, Coach Scott Preuninger says, but the Papermakers do need time.
Time to figure out a lineup to best fit the loss of senior post and Cal State Fullerton commit Madison Freemon, who is lost for the season after tearing her ACL in an intersquad scrimmage Nov. 25.
And figuring out the strongest offensive and defensive combinations without back-to-back practices because of eight games in 15 days makes Preuninger’s job a little tougher. He’s estimating it could take two to three weeks to “figure things out.”
“It’s been a scramble,” he said.
So far, freshmen Faith Bergstrom and Jalena Carlisle are gaining experience earlier than expected to help fill the void. Preuninger, too, will float the idea of having 6-foot sophomore Marianna Payne, a natural wing, in the 4-spot.
If the reigning 4A GSHL champions want to make it two straight titles and a repeat trip to the Tacoma Dome, where last year’s trip was a first in program history, it’ll do it behind another competitive nonleague schedule. Camas began last season 3-6 with its tough nonleague slate, and has already faced 3A top-ranked Kamiakin, Prairie, and Kentlake in a rematch of last year’s 4A regional game, plus Oregon 6A Jesuit and Central Catholic. Bishop Blanchet, last year’s 3A state runner-up, comes to Camas Dec. 19.
