Kamehameha senior Camille Feary commits to Southern Oregon

Camille Feary found the right fit at Southern Oregon.

The Kamehameha senior committed to the school Wednesday, ensuring that her basketball career will continue at the next level.

“Southern Oregon, I think it’s in Ashland. I was supposed to visit this past summer, but it got cancelled,” Feary said on Wednesday.

Feary, who has a 3.2 grade-point average, also had interest from George Fox, another NAIA school.

Her versatility as a ballhandler, passer, scorer and defender were keys to Kamehameha’s success in the past two seasons.

“I think that her ability to put the ball on the floor will continue to evolve at the next level,” Kamehameha coach Pua Straight said. “I have already seen improvements on this throughout her high school years, and can see her continuing to improve on this at the next level. I also know that she will continue to build on her strengths at the next level. She is a feisty competitor who can shoot the ball well and is one of the best offensive rebounders in the state. I think that SOU will definitely be able to use those strengths to help their team be successful.”

Feary’s vision is to major in forensic science and minor in criminal justice, then work her way up to become an FBI agent. The plan required that she be assertive from the start.

“I emailed a bunch of schools in spring time and a few of them reached out. They watched highlights and I sent extra film. We did Zoom and we were in touch a few times a week. Last week, they offered me on Zoom and sent extra information,” Feary said.

The Raiders were 20-11 last season, reaching the round of 32 of the NAIA Division II championships. They lost to St. Francis (Ill.).

“I researched a lot about their coach, Alex Carlton. He seems like a real good coach, and talking back and forth. His assistant coaches would send me a bunch of clips about the tournaments they play in, and a virtual tour of their town. It’s the same kind of game I played in club and at school, lot of press defense,” Feary said.

Virtual learning is the new normal, which Feary actually likes.

“The difference is the relationships between the student and the teacher. I get more done at home because I don’t have to drive. I live on the west side, and that’s kind of an hour wasted (each way),” she said. “I went on campus once in the first couple of weeks to pick up a supply kit for creative metals (class). Making jewelry.”

The workout regimen has been non-stop through the COVID-19 pandemic. She has everything she needs right at home.

“Luckily, I have a hoop at my house and a driveway. That’s what I do with my dad (Shawn), and I run around the block. We have a bar and weights. I bench, I squat. We’ve had it for awhile. It was for my brother (Isaiah) when I was younger. He went to Saint Louis and played football,” Feary said.

There is also training with her Kamehameha teammates and coaches via the internet.

“I am in a training class for basketball as a course in school with Coach Pua and Coach Larry (Park). We work out with the boys. Body work, planks and stuff. Thirty minutes of strength and conditioning,” she said.

Coach Straight has high expectations for Feary.

“I am expecting Camille to be our leader. I am expecting her to do more for our team than points and rebounds. She is the returning player with the most experience. She has great leadership qualities,” Straight said. “I expect her to elevate the competitiveness of our practices. I know she is capable of this and I’m looking forward to watching her grow into a leader for our team both on and off the court.”

Feary’s game plan for life has been influenced by bloodline and family friends.

“I have a bunch of uncles who are firefighters and police officers. I have an uncle who’s an agent or on a SWAT team,” she said. “Shout out to my parents (Monique and Shawn). Thank you for being my biggest supporters.”