Whistle while they work: Coaches express appreciation of referees

Mar. 7—You see them every basketball game. Most of the time, though, coaches, players and fans are expressing

displeasure with the men and women in the black-and-white stripe shirts and black pants with a whistle around their necks. But before the IHSA boys' basketball state tournament tips off Thursday morning and continues through Saturday night at State Farm Center in Champaign, Sports Editor Matt Daniels heard from 20 coaches across the state with one common refrain: their favorite referees (seriously).

Ron Ashlaw, Waukegan boys' basketball coach who coached former Illini Brandon Paul and Jereme Richmond

"Kevin Grayer. Great with the players, great with the coaches, great with the crowd, great sense of the moment, keeps it all in perspective. He loves his craft, is always in position and technically is an excellent referee."

"My favorite referee is the one I have learned the most from, Mark Shoults. I became the head boys' basketball Coach at Tinley Park at the age of 23. I was young, brash, aggressive and still learning how to control my emotions, interact with officials and be a professional. Mark was the first official to call me on my sideline behavior. I had played for my dad, David Brown, at Rolling Meadows and then for Ray Shovlain at St. Ambrose University. Both coaches helped shape me and my style and both coaches are pretty aggressive in their own coaching styles, styles I adopted to fit my own coaching style.

"I will never forget, we were playing at Riverside-Brookfield and a habit of mine that I still use today is stomping my foot. I do it to get my players' attention and tend to do it when frustrated with a call. I maintain that if I could whistle loud enough, I wouldn't stomp my foot to get my players' attention. It has also become the mannerism I am known for as I am able to generate a lot of noise. So when we were playing at Riverside-Brookfield, we were in a hotly contested, high-scoring nonconference game. I called a timeout and stomped my foot rather loudly in the direction of Mark. Mark then gave me a technical and followed it up with, 'You're not going to stomp your foot at me!' This was my fist season being a head coach, my first technical and this was a learning moment for me.

"Following our exchange, I was able to speak to Mark at our next game, and we have developed a rapport I do not have with very many officials. We can meet before games like professionals and friends, talk about our families and what we've been up to, then when the game starts, it's all professional. Mark is an official I can speak to pretty freely. If I ask for clarification on something, he is always very thorough and always fair. I have the utmost respect for Mark as an official, as a professional and as a friend.

"Mark Shoults stands out amongst his peers and deserves to be recognized as one of the best in the game. Thank you for all you do for the game, the players and for me as a coach. I have grown and matured into a more professional, polished coach because Mark helped shape me, my behavior and my professionalism at a very early age and stage in my career. Thank you Mark."

Philip Church, South Elgin boys' basketball coach since 2022

"Tim Loughnane. There are two things I look for in an official: 1. Location and availability if/when a coach disagrees or needs clarification. Lots of officials now don't look to have conversations or further explain with coaches. 2. Controls the level of physicality. This was a point of emphasis last season and there are still officials who are inconsistent with aggressive play around the basket and understanding verticality of the defense versus initiation by the offense. Tim is one of the best."

Steve Dilley, Tri-City/Sangamon Valley boys' basketball coach who just completed his 20th season leading the Storm

"My favorite official is Aaron Lane. Full disclosure, I grew up with Aaron. We played hoops, whiffle ball and football together with the gang from Kenton Addition. That being said, he is without a doubt one of the best officials in the state. This year will be Aaron's third trip to the state tournament. Aaron takes pride in the craft and works diligently to have proper mechanics and make every call correctly."

Craig Etheridge, Westmont boys' basketball coach who led the Sentinels to fourth place at the 2001 Class A state tournament

"We had a lot of good officials work our games this year, but my favorite was Chris Head. His professional no-nonsense approach, matched with his consistency and knowledge, ensure that both teams will get a fair, well-officiated game."

Gerald Fruit, Earlville boys' basketball coach who leads the Red Raiders, a school of 122 students in northern Illinois

"My favorite referee, at least this year, is Richard 'Buzz' Fisher Jr. I only had him twice this year, but I felt most of his calls were correct, he knows the rules and he is fair. Also, if you do disagree with a call and say something to him, he will take a moment and explain calmly his call to you. In the end, I might still disagree with him, but you feel like you been heard and will take in consideration what I have told him."

Jake Groom, Forreston boys' basketball coach since 2020

"My favorite official is Joel Keller. I have never had him call a bad game for me and never witnessed him call a bad game for any one else. Joe knows the rules and knows how to apply them to the game. He is fair and consistent and always holds a good line of communication with coaches. There is not a more deserving official to go downstate."

Shane Hawkins, Carterville boys' basketball coach since 2016 who scored more than 1,300 career points playing at Southern Illinois Carbondale from 1994-98

"Aaron Wright. Aaron works his butt off each and every night and tries to let the players decide the game. He is an official that you can talk with throughout the game, studies the game and will let coaches vent to when needed.

"He understands the game, can anticipate what is going to happen and knows how to communicate with people. One of the best in the state."

Ron Ingram, Peoria Quest boys' basketball coach who won two Class 3A regional titles in 2015 and 2020 coaching Decatur MacArthur

"Tory Davis. Calls a fair game both ways, and he explains if I have a question. He will not interact with the crowd when they get rowdy, and calms any situation down on the court. Easy to approach as an official. Has great mechanics, knows his calls and his area on the court. When he refs, he makes it about the players and the game instead of him putting on a show for himself. Hope to see him officiating at the next level soon."

Andrew Johnson, Salt Fork boys' basketball coach who has more than 200 wins and five Class 1A regional titles with the Storm

"Dane Severado. He's an easy-going guy who handles high intensity games professionally and is always good at communicating with you as a coach regardless of the situation."

Tom Kleinschmidt, DePaul College Prep boys' basketball coach since 2012 who is trying to lead the Rams to a Class 3A state title this weekend after winning a 2A state title last season. He starred in college at DePaul, scoring 1,837 points from 1991-95.

"My all-time favorite referee is my father, Tom Kleinschmidt Sr., an Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame member and referee of 50 years in the IHSA. He had his three trips to the state tournament where I was fortunate to see great games played and players and coaches in the IHSA state tournament. This started my passion for basketball, especially Illinois high school basketball.

"My favorite NBA heroes are Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and of course, the GOAT, Michael Jordan. But my first heroes were Ben Wilson, Ed Horton, Nick Anderson, Steve Bardo, Kenny Battle, Marcus Liberty, LaPhonso Ellis, Darren Guest, Kendall Gill and many more I was fortunate to watch perform at Assembly Hall during the IHSA state tournament when I was a little kid. My father is my favorite referee because he brought me to so many big games, and I was able to witness greatness that fueled my passion for basketball."

Matt Messer, Polo boys' basketball coach who has won almost 300 games at a school with one of the best nicknames in the state — the Marcos

"I actually have two favorite refs: Corey Kreider and Patrick Lower. They are both two of the most professional refs, and they are willing to communicate with the coaches. They really don't want to be noticed, but they will call fouls according to the rules. They both understand that sometimes coaches and players can be a little emotional and will allow for that as long as it doesn't cross the line.

"And finally, they don't take arguments personally. I have disagreed with both, but after that we still respect each other."

Jason Opoka, Glenbard West boys' basketball coach since 2019 who led the Hilltoppers to a Class 4A state title in 2022

"Reid Rurel is one of the best officials in the state. He has a great demeanor and communicates well."

Cody Rincker, Effingham St. Anthony boys' basketball coach since 2013 who led the Bulldogs to the Class 1A state title in 2017

"Tim Lieghty. He does a great job, but also has a great demeanor towards the fans and officials."

Shawn Roundtree Sr., SIUE Charter boys' basketball coach and father of former Edwardsville All-State guard Shawn Roundtree Jr.

"JaRon Dent. He's consistent with the games he officiates and a foul in one game is the same foul in another regardless of what team or school.

"He's an equitable official on both sides of the floor."

Durrell Robinson, Danville boys' basketball coach at his alma mater since 2019 and played on the Vikings' team that finished third at the 1993 Class AA state tournament

"Vernal Turner and Vince Cunningham are my favorite officials. They are both always respectful, opening to listening and keep smiles on their faces."

Todd Sutton, Neuqua Valley boys' basketball coach who has more than 500 wins at the Naperville school.

"Marissa Kladis is my favorite official. She is really professional."

Jason Tucker, Schaumburg boys' basketball coach since 2022 who was previously a head coach at Luther North, Chicago Taft and Chicago Sullivan

"Tim Loughnane is my favorite ref in the state. Truly understands the game and isn't above coming to explain what he has seen and hear you out. As a coach, I think it's important to get feedback from officials in game and out of game.

"Tim has asked me for film after games to improve. I have had officials who have just flat out ignored me when I asked questions. Tim is a good one."

Clay Vass, Illini Bluffs boys' basketball coach since 2013 who has led the Tigers to back-to-back Class 1A sectional titles

"Joe Thompson. Joe is experienced, knowledgeable and keeps the game under control without being over the top or arrogant.

"He will talk calmly with players and coaches and is willing to explain his judgment in a calm and non-threatening tone. He is a very good official."

Brandon Willard, Cerro Gordo/Bement boys' basketball coach who has more than 100 wins with the Broncos

"Mark Rotz. He's genuinely a nice guy who is great with the athletes. Works hard. Funny. Admits if he makes a mistake, and is easy to talk to."