Chuck Knight, who for years has coached the Vancouver Heat girls basketball AAU team, has been named the head coach of the Camas Papermakers.
“There’s been a lot of jobs open (through the years). I’ve kind of wanted to wait for the one that fit,” Knight said. “I think Camas is a great fit for me because you have great kids in that area and parents who are involved and concerned and care about their kids. There’s great administrative support, and a great community.
“It seemed like an excellent fit for me, and I thought it was a great fit for them.”
Knight, who lives in east Vancouver, teaches in the Canby School District in Oregon. This will be his first high school varsity head coaching job.
“Chuck interviewed very well,” said Terry Cavender, Camas’ athletic director. “We had letters of recommendation. He has high expectations for kids and he has some of the expertise we were looking for. He understands the X’s and O’s and the chemistry of basketball.”
Knight will take over for Kent Thomas, who resigned in the spring following one of the best seasons is the program’s history. Camas won the district championship, ending Prairie’s long reign on top.
“That group of coaches, group of players, that was a phenomenal feat, what they accomplished,” Knight said. “For this year, our season, the success we have won’t be defined by whether we beat Prairie or not.”
Through his AAU contacts, Knight has met several of his Camas players. The Papermakers are expected to return several key players from the 2009-10 squad, including The Columbian’s All-Region player of the year, Melissa Williams.
“Just talking to them, I got a great feeling about what they want to do this year, what their goals are,” Knight said.
“For me, as a coach, it’s simple. I want to see all the players improve. If the team improves from fall to February, I consider that a great season.”
Cavender wants to see the Papermakers make it to the state tournament.
“I was disappointed we didn’t make it this past year. We were just a near-miss,” Cavender said.
Hudson’s Bay hires former LPGA golfer — Debbie Hall Friede will take over as golf coach for both the boys and girls programs at Hudson’s Bay High School beginning this school year.
Now a resident of Washougal, Hall Friede played on the LPGA Tour for six years in the 1980s after playing for a national championship team at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
“I’m very excited to have her on staff,” said Jeanne Shults, Bay’s athletic director. “She has a wealth of technique knowledge and experience at a high level of competition to share with our athletes.”
