There are some mysteries here. Normally a points cam is symmetrical, rather like a valve-operating camshaft but with very much less lift. Please post a picture of the cam, so we can see what is happening.
It is conventional for internal combustion engines to rotate clockwise at the end opposite to the output shaft, so if you face the output shaft, it rotates anticlockwise. This is in line with what you have reported.
Your points, when set to open to 0.018" maximum, should begin to open when the crankshaft is 25 degrees BTDC. Can you flip the cam over, so it goes on the shaft the other way up?
