The gameplan was relatively unchanged from the Union girls basketball team’s 52-44 loss to rival Camas earlier in the season.
Only this time, the Titans believed in it.
With a dominating defensive effort and some timely driving shots, Union rolled to a 51-41 win over the Papermakers on Friday. It keeps the Titans’ 4A Greater St. Helens League title hopes alive as they improve to 3-2 in league play (13-4 overall)
“I don’t think we did that much differently than we did the first time,” Union coach Gary Mills said. “We just did it better.”
Union senior Mackenzie Lewis stole the show in the first half, hauling in 12 rebounds as Union ran to a 24-14 lead. She finished with 11 points and 17 rebounds. The Titans held a 33-29 rebounding advantage.
“Last game we got out-rebounded by a lot,” Lewis said. “So that was our focus this week in practice.”
But it was also Lewis’ defense and a team buy-in to slowing down Camas’ Faith Bergstrom that was equally important. In the first meeting, Bergstrom erupted for 24 points and 17 rebounds.
“It was honestly the best game I’ve seen her play,” Union junior Lolo Weatherspoon said.
This time around, Union held Bergstrom to seven points and eight rebounds.
“Our posts did a really good job fronting her and our guards did really well helping out,” Weatherspoon explained.
As Union nursed a double-digit second-half lead, the Papermakers mounted significant runs. The first coming at the beginning of the fourth quarter as Emma Reuter’s 3-point shoot trimmed the Titans’ lead to 36-31 with 7 minutes to play.
Union responded with two interior plays from Lewis, a driving bucket from Weatherspoon and a driving score from Mason Oberg.
Camas again cut it to six points when Bergstrom scored on a putback with 2:20 left. Weatherspoon again countered with a quick bucket. She scored eight of her 10 points in the final six minutes.
“Lolo was due for a great game,” Mills said. “She had some timely passes as well and played really good defense.”
Oberg, who uncharacteristically had a poor shooting night, still finished with three steals and three assists as her teammates and coaches praised her ability to contribute even on off nights.
Camas (10-7, 3-2) did not have a scorer reach double figures. Jalena Carlisle tallied eight points to lead the Papermakers. Haylie Johnson chipped in four assists.
Both teams are still in the hunt for a league title but now trail Skyview by two games.
“We’re hoping for that three-way tie,” Weatherspoon said. “But whatever happens, we have to be ready for it.”
UNION 51, CAMAS 41
CAMAS — Haylie Johnson 3, Emma Rehrer 5, Katelynn Forner 7, Anna Mooney 3, Avery Minich 0, Faith Bergstrom 7, Jalena Carlisle 8, Kyra Segewiss 4, Ashley Bauer 4. Totals 17-56 (6-21) 1-9 41.
UNION — Lexi Raymore 6, Olivia Euverman 0, Mason Oberg 8, Lolo Weatherspoon 10, Abbey Kaip 7, Kaneyl Carpenter 0, Mackenzie Lewis 11, Sarah Litchford 6, Ariel Ammentorp 3. Totals 22-49 (3-20) 4-8 51.
Camas 11 3 12 15–41
Union 11 13 12 15–51
