(Editor’s note: DCC Athletics release)
GLENDIVE – DCC head women’s basketball coach Romeo Lagmay, Jr., didn’t have to look far to sign the first Montana standout of his upcoming class.
The drive from Glendive to Richey was a piece of cake compared to recruiting trips of the last few years. That is where he spotted 5’8 shooting guard Haley Olson who’s sister Laken was a former athletic trainer for DCC. It was a hint from her informing Lagmay that she had a sister who could play ball. Lagmay apparently didn’t ignore the information, and soon realized he had a baller in his own backyard.
Olson officially signed her NJCAA National Letter of Intent on her Richey High School campus on March 27 along with family and DCC coaches.
“Playing basketball at the collegiate level has always been a goal of mine,” said Olson. “I got involved with the coaching staff at Dawson through summer camps, tournaments, and open gym. I really got to know the staff and about their program. I felt like DCC would be a great fit for me, not only for athletics but for academics as well. I am super excited to be a Lady Buccaneer and look forward to next year.”
Olson has had a decorated high school career participating in many sports and receiving many awards athletically and academically.
“I’ve known Haley for quite a while now,” Lagmay said. “She is so passionate about the game. I love her character as a person overall, and she is what we want reflective of all our student-athletes. It was a no-brainer for us to try and get her into becoming a Lady Buc. It’s very hard to coach passion and want a player to develop and invest in themselves. Haley possesses that self-initiative to get better. We look forward to her continuing her God-given gifts with a basketball and in academics.”
Olson played varsity basketball for four years. She was selected First Team All-Conference and Team MVP from 2016-2018, and possibly again this season. On December 21, 2018, Olson reached the 1,000 point scoring mark. Her total of 1,391 points makes her one of the all-time leading scorers in school history. This past season she averaged 21 ppg. In tournament play, she averaged 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals, while shooting 75% from the free throw line.
In a 2017 Great Falls Tribune article Olson was selected as an honorable mention in the Top 20 girls’ basketball players in the state of Montana. Her team’s accomplishments include placing 5th in the district tournament in 2015-2016 and 4th in 2018-2019. Richey-Lambert was state ranked as high as #5 in District 2C in Eastern C. She participated in this year’s Treasure State Classic in Billings, where her team lost in the first time historical showdown of the Class C championship.
Aside from athletic accomplishments, Olson was Academic All-State all four years in basketball as well as volleyball, cross country, and one year in golf and track. She has also been on the honor roll from 2015-2019. Impressively, throughout her high school career, she has maintained a GPA of a 4.0.
“I’ve had the privilege of being Haley’s head coach for 4 years,” said Richey-Lamber’s Dominique Davis, “…and it has been nothing but a joyous event. Haley is a hard worker, and a very coachable player. She is a player you never have to worry about getting the job done, with a no-quit attitude, whether it be in practice or in a game situation. She knows her limitations and she is willing to improve on them. Haley Olson is a player that will be missed by her teammates, the R&L Fusion fans, and coaches.”
