Episode 7: How to Navigate the High School Ranks as a Young Official with Brenden Black

Episode 7: How to Navigate the High School Ranks as a Young Official with Brenden Black

Brenden Black picked up a whistle in college officiating intramural sports at NC State — and never put it down. Now six years into his high school career working basketball and football, Brenden shares what that journey actually looked like: from campus rec games to varsity sidelines, and everything that humbled him along the way. This episode gets honest about one of the bigger problems facing high school officiating — why young people aren't joining, and why the ones who do often don't stick around. Brenden talks about the crew dynamic between younger and veteran officials, what makes it work when it does, and what gets in the way when it doesn't. If you've ever wondered why the officiating shortage keeps getting worse, this conversation is a good place to start.

Episode 6: What Officials Expect from the Next NCHSAA Commissioner with Steve Schwartz

What do high school officials really need from leadership? In this episode of The High School Ref Show, we sit down with Steve Schwartz to talk about expectations for the next commissioner of the NCHSAA and what this transition means for officials across North Carolina. This conversation goes beyond the headlines and into the real experiences of officials — what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change moving forward. We discuss: - What officials are looking for in new leadership - The current challenges facing high school officiating - The importance of communication and support - What it will take to improve retention and recruitment - How the next commissioner can impact the future of officiating in North Carolina This is the kind of conversation happening among officials behind the scenes — and we’re bringing it out into the open. If you’re an official, assigner, coach, or administrator, this episode gives you a perspective you won’t hear anywhere else.

Episode 5: Sharing a Special Game Assignment with Scott Graham

Some games mean more than just the final score. In this powerful episode, we sit down with Scott Graham to share the story of a truly unforgettable assignment — officiating a game played on a court dedicated to his father, Danny Graham, a longtime high school girls basketball coach at Lumberton High School who passed away last year. This episode goes beyond officiating — it’s about carrying on a legacy and finding purpose in the moments that matter most.

Episode 4: Talking Flag Football Officiating with DJ Doss

Flag Football is sweeping the nation as high schools and colleges add varsity teams. On this week's episode, DJ Doss joins the show to talk about flag football officiating, the high school landscape in Georgia, and his 10+ years of officiating at many levels.

Episode 3: 46 Years of Basketball Officiating Wisdom with Randy Lockhart

The interview with Randy Lockhart on the High School Ref Show covers his 46 years of basketball officiating experience, the challenges of balancing officiating with a full-time job, and the evolution of officiating rules and practices over the years. The conversation covers the differences between IAABO and NFHS officiating, the training and support provided to officials, the pay structure, the challenges of aging in officiating, and the recruitment of younger officials. Randy Lockhart emphasizes the importance of staying in shape, knowing the rules, and evolving with the times. He also highlights the need for good assigners and the positive aspects of officiating.