If Friday’s win over Prairie was a statement for the Hudson’s Bay girls basketball team, Tuesday night against Camas was something on another level entirely.
Just days after the Eagles opened the season with a 30-point rout over the Falcons, Bay led Camas start to finish in a 52-47 win and sealed the deal late by holding the Papermakers scoreless for the final 2 minutes, 48 seconds.
“I’m really proud of the girls because I could tell they didn’t have a whole lot left. It was a good thing it didn’t go any longer,” Hudson’s Bay coach Michael Rainville said with a laugh. “When they needed to, they made the big plays and they deserved to win. They played great. They played smart. It was some game.”
Bay built a 13-2 lead early, using its pressure defense to force Camas turnovers and find easy scoring opportunities.
The Eagles played most of the opening quarter without senior Aniyah Hampton, who picked up two quick fouls and went to the bench.
But at nearly every turn when Bay ran into turbulence, someone stepped up. Mahaila Harrison led with 11 points, Paytin Ballard and Hampton each had 10, while Promise Bond had eight and Devon Johnson-Brown chipped in six.
“Being able to push through and not get too wrapped up into our heads, which is something we’ve struggled with in the past, being able to overcome that and still play as a team … it gives me so much hope for how we’re going to grow as a team further down the line,” Ballard said.
Camas (2-1) trailed 45-39 entering the fourth, then got within three on a Reagan Jamison 3-pointer, before a Jamison layup had the Papermakers just two points down with under three minutes to play.
But after Jamison drew a charge on Bay with two minutes left, Camas was unable to tie or take the lead on the other end.
Ballard flipped a long pass ahead to Harrison for a layup with 1:27 left, before Bay forced another stop to hold off the Papermakers.
“It’s not just defense, it’s offense, it’s togetherness,” Rainville said. “They play really good, working for each other on defense. Their press is awesome. It’s just a great team.”
Camas also made a run to start the third quarter, twice drawing within three points on baskets from Addison Harris and Jamison, respectively. But after the latter score, with Bay holding a 34-31 lead, the Eagles went on an 11-2 run over the next three-plus minutes with seven points from Ballard and another stretch of stifling defense.
Harris had a game-high 15 points and Jamison added nine for the Papermakers.
“When we get more in shape, since it’s still the beginning of the season, and we’re able to do it (defend) for longer, maybe just a quarter without being as tired, it’s definitely going to be real helpful for us,” Ballard said.
On Friday, Hampton said the win over Prairie showed Bay isn’t a team to be counted out. Tuesday proved once again the Eagles are still a force to be reckoned with.
“We ended our season way earlier than we thought we were going to last year because of COVID and everything,” Ballard said, “but we’re still here. We’re still here to say, Bay is still coming for you.”
HUDSON’S BAY 52, CAMAS 47
CAMAS — Reagan Jamison 9, Kendall Mairs 2, Parker Mairs 4, Anna Mooney 0, Sophie Buzzard 3, Riley Sanz 3, Ava Smith 5, Addison Harris 15, Keirra Thompson 6. Totals 13 (6) 3-11 47.
HUDSON’S BAY — Promise Bond 8, Miranda Gonzalez 4, Alana Stephens 0, Devon Johnson-Brown 6, Paytin Ballard 10, Mahaila Harrison 11, Aniyah Hampton 10. Totals 19 (3) 5-11 52.
Camas 9 18 10 10—47
Hudson’s Bay 16 16 13 7—52
JV — Hudson’s Bay 27-22
