At this time of year, recognition is primarily directed to teams and the individual players who make it to the State tournaments in their quest to be state champions. The same holds true for those officials who happen to work the games involving those teams and individuals at State competition.  They say that the best officials are the ones you hardly notice during the actual game and my guess is they like it that way. The purpose of this writing though is to make sure people are aware of two area referees who will be working the Illinois High School Athletic Association's Class 1A and 2A Girls State Basketball Tournament this Friday and Saturday.

The two are Dwain Kurfman of Payson and Rick Gengenbacher of Quincy. Kurfman, according to an article in the Herald Whig, has been officiating for 30 years and Gengenbacher for 21 years.  For Kurfman, this will be his second time officiating games at State and for Gengenbacher the visit to Redbird Arena in Bloomington, Illinois will represent his first chance to work at State.

To be selected to officiate State tournament games has nothing to do with how long you have been doing games, but has everything to do with how well you officiate games. These two men have done it well and are deserved of being the game officials.

Congratulations on a job well done!

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