Olson Gives Lady Hawks Scoring and Leadership

When you’re talking to a coach for a feature story about one of her upper classmen, it’s not unusual for her to comment on the impact her star athlete has on younger players.
When I asked Cape May Tech’s Ginny Roma about the influence her 1,000-plus-point scoring center, Alexis Olson, has on the Lady Hawks’ freshmen, the coach was quick with an example.
“I just had a conversation today with two of my freshmen and they shared how they were afraid of me and this team of upperclassmen,” said the eighth-year head coach. “And honest to goodness one of them then told me that if it wasn’t for Alexis she would not have stuck it out.”
Olson, a Seaville native, joined sisters Kerry Player and Janessa Player-Palek as the only Lady Hawks to reach 1,000 or more points in a career. At 5’10”, Olson helps Tech control the low post and has led resurgence after her team endured two difficult rebuilding seasons.
“My favorite aspect of basketball is the relationships that are formed while being on a team,” said Olson, who hopes to compete for Joe Fussner’s Lady Ospreys at Richard Stockton College next season. “There is something about a basketball team that builds an individual to who she is. I truly believe the person I am today has a lot to do with the lessons and values I have learned from being part of a team.”
The daughter of Stephen and Stephanie Olson, Alexis has played the sport since fourth grade at Dennis Township Elementary School. That was the year she left softball and soccer behind to focus on hoops.
“Throughout the years I’ve been playing basketball I’ve always been a defensive-oriented player,” said the 18-year-old. “As the years progressed I learned to be a part of the offensive side as well.”
Roma sets the example for her players as a solid all-around athlete. After competing in basketball and field hockey at Manahawkin’s Southern Regional High School, she balanced field hockey, lacrosse and basketball with her higher education studies at Wesley College in Dover, Del.
Her coach’s commitment to athleticism may have been one of the biggest benefits for Olson.
“To be honest, her overall fitness is what she’s worked on and improved upon the most,” said Roma. “She has worked and continues to get herself on a fitness level that helps her on the court and in everyday life. She has realized that without fitness it is extremely difficult to be a successful basketball player.”
The coach also appreciates Olson’s maturity in helping guide the team to a state tournament-qualifying record in 2014.
“This year we have had a tremendous season,” said Roma. “We are the 10th seed in the state tournament and hoping to pull off some wins. I really don’t think Alexis dwells over the past years’ records. She loves this team and would take it any way it comes.”
As for her 1,000th point, which was reached at the foul line in a 47-40 win over Pleasantville, Olson said it was an emotional moment.
“At first, I really didn’t think about scoring 1,000 points and then in my junior year I remember telling myself that scoring that many was a realistic goal for me,” she said. “When I hit that last foul shot, I was filled with a lot of emotions. I couldn’t really think at first. Then I thought about all of the people who have helped me reach my goal, my coaches, my family, especially my dad. My dad traveled to almost every game and has been with me to every AAU tournament he could make. He’s basically my number one fan.”
Olson knows her high school career is passing quickly and she tries to extend to the underclassmen how they should enjoy each moment of their playing years.
“Every time I speak to the freshmen I always tell them to absorb every moment you have with this team with everything you can,” she said. “I tell them they have no clue about how fast high school flies by. Every moment is time.”
Olson has appreciation for these days because she understands the feeling of being off the floor while recovering from injury. She sees that as the most challenging aspect of the sport she loves.
“Coping with an injury is difficult because you never know when something will happen,” she said. “You want to play so badly but you also know that you need to take care of yourself in order to be a good player. My coaches keep me going. When things get rough, they are always on the sidelines motivating me and the team until the last second of the game.”
Olson, who spends summers working at The Custard King on Sea Isle Boulevard, is averaging 16 points and eight rebounds a game this season. By the time she’s finished she’ll have blocked nearly 100 shots.
“Her greatest strength is finding scoring opportunities when there are none,” said Roma. “As the coach I try to see the whole game and there are times when, offensively, I feel that a particular play will not be successful. But just as I say that to myself, here comes Alexis getting herself into scoring position and finishing with a made basket.”
With the season coming to a close, Roma said she will miss Olson’s leadership and contributions to the squad.
“I will miss her ability to pick this team up when needed,” said Roma. “I will miss her wisdom of the game and her ability to always think positively. My hope is that her infectious, upbeat personality has rubbed off on my younger girls so that they will carry her lessons for years to come.”