Jefferson's Olson caps senior season with MVC scoring title

CEDAR RAPIDS – The Mississippi Valley Conference's scoring champ isn't part of one of the league's elite teams, isn't headed to a Division I college such as Northern Iowa.

But he did top his older brother's average as a senior. So there's that.

'Oh, yeah,' smiled Jacob Olson.

The 6-foot senior guard from Cedar Rapids Jefferson averaged 21.3 points per game despite being a marked man by every opponent. Teams know the J-Hawks don't have much consistency on offense beyond Olson and forward Tyler Konigsmark.Jefferson (7-14) plays at Pleasant Valley (13-8) in a first-round Class 4A substate quarterfinal Monday night.

It won its final two regular-season games.

'Hopefully this is a kick start to some momentum for us,' said Jefferson Associate Coach Brandon Horman. 'Last year, we were fortunate to get a big win up at Cedar Falls to end the (regular) season. That got us jump-started before postseason play. It's do or die time for us to get refocused, get recharged.'

Whatever the J-Hawks accomplish in the postseason, Olson likely will be behind it. He's not big but has the ability to create his own shot with good quickness and athletic ability.He averaged 15 points last season but has upped that significantly out of necessity.

By the way, Taylor Olson, a former Jefferson all-stater and sophomore guard at Kirkwood Community College, averaged 'only' 18 points as a senior.Back to those family bragging rights.

'Been a pretty good season for me. Some ups and downs,' Olson said. 'Coach talked to me before the season started about how I needed to score a lot. So I had a pretty good idea I would have to. It's been frustrating as a team. We thought we'd be able to do better, but we haven't. We don't work as hard as we should. We'll still got substate.'

'Coming back as one of the few guys we had with previous playing experience, I think that was a natural direction for him to go,' Horman said. 'He was one of the leaders in the Valley last year, too. So I just think just stepping it up and trying to be more consistent with those things (has been important) for him. Better shot selection at times.'

Horman pointed out Olson can do damage at the free-throw line as well, so getting him there is important. He shoots 80-plus percent from the stripe.College wise, Olson said Kirkwood, Mount Mercy and Simpson are the only schools on him at this point.

'You know what, he's always a threat,' Horman said. ' He's always a threat with the ball. Other teams, they key on him. A lot of times, they look to place a bigger guy on him … But he is capable of having a great night any night. He's a nice weapon to have.'

Other Class 4A substate openers Monday night include Cedar Rapids Washington (5-16) at Clinton (13-8) and Marshalltown (3-19) at Cedar Rapids Prairie (5-16). Class 3A district semifinals include a double-header at Cedar Rapids Xavier that consists of the host Saints (13-8) and Vinton-Shellsburg (6-14) at 8 p.m. and Marion (9-12) against Center Point-Urbana (5-16) at 6:30 p.m.3A district finals are Thursday and 4A substate semifinals Friday.