The 1988 version of the Little Ten Conference tournament could be described as the "Dave Olson Show."

The blonde-haired senior was averaging 38 points per game entering the tournament and actually raised his average with games of 43, 46 and 40 in three games at the tourney. Those games included 40 points in the Norsemen's 59-53 title game victory over top-seeded Shabbona. Olson went on to top the Associated Press Illinois High School Class A All-State team and star at Eastern Illinois University.

Newark opened with an 87-62 win over Malta and followed that with a 75-66 victory over Serena in the semifinals. In the title game versus Shabbona, Newark trailed 19-17 after one, but led 29-27 at halftime. Olson scored 20 points in each half for the "runnin" Norsemen as they held on to capture their fourth straight title and sixth in seven years despite an Indians rally.

Along with Olson's 40 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks, fellow senior Matt Myre added 15 points, including 9-of-10 from the line.