Brandon Olson
Graduating Class of 1989
Brandon Olson was a multiple sport letterman during his years at Astoria High School. He earned one varsity letter in Cross Country, two letters in track and field and two in basketball. It was on the basketball team where Brandon stood out.
Olson made the varsity team as a junior when the team had a solid preseason highlighted by scoring 100 points against Warrenton. As the league season opened, Olson came down with an illness and the team faltered in his absence. A late season surge had the fishermen battling rival Seaside for a chance to advance to the state tournament. Unfortunately, Astoria came up short and the season came to an end.
Brandon’s senior year returned three starting members from the previous season. He was named team captain and led by example. He was named to the All-Tournament team at the Gladstone Tournament and The Vince Dulcich tournament before league play started. As the Cowapa League began, the Fishermen had tough competition with three teams ranked in the top 10 in the state. With Olson averaging 18 points a game, the Fishermen netted big road wins against Seaside and Tillamook and finished first in the league, earning a trip to Eugene for the state tournament. Brandon was named to the First Team All-League and was named Cowapa League Most Valuable Player for the season.
In Eugene, the team continued it's outstanding season with a record of 3-1, finishing in fourth place. In one game, Brandon shot 5-7 from the 3 point line setting a tournament record for makes in one game. He received second team, All-Tournament honors and second team All-State. He was also selected to play for the Oregon AA West All-State team.
After high school, Brandon played basketball for three seasons at Warner Pacific College and one season at Pacific University. In the 1990-91 season at Warner Pacific, Olson was named MVP of the Columbia Classic Christmas Tournament and named to the All-Tournament team at the George Fox Tournament. The same season, he set NAIA District 2 assist records with 24 in one game against Northwest College and 347 total assists for the season. His 12.4 assists per game led the nation.
Brandon joins his father, Jerry, and sister, Jennifer, as members of the Astoria High School Hall of Fame.
