The Illinois Basketball Coach’s Association has released their 2021 Basketball Coach’s of the Year list. Local coaches that made the list include high school boys coaches, United Red Storm coach Doug Dennison, Macomb Bomber coach Jeremy Anderson, Knoxville Blue Bullet coach Erik Hughs, Brimfield coach Scott Carlson, Southeastern Suns coach Brett Ufkes, Wethersfield Flying Geese coach Jeff Parsons and Rockridge Rocket coach Andy Saey.
Doug Dennison led the United Red Storm to an overall record of (14-2) and their first Lincoln Trail Conference title in school history. The Red Storm tied Wethersfield for the LTC crown.
Jeremy Anderson led the Bombers to an undefeated record of (14-0) in the pandemic-shortened season.
Erik Hughs had a fantastic season, as the Knoxville Blue Bullets finished (13-3).
As far as high school girls basketball, Illini West Charger head coach Grant Surprenant made the list. He was joined locally by Stark County Lady Rebel coach Scott Paxson, Princeville Lady Princes coach John Gross and Brimfield Indian coach Maribeth Dura.
Sherrard Tiger junior high girls basketball coach Heath Smith was also named an IBCA Coach of the Year. Brad Underwood was named the
Division I Men’s Coach of the Year after leading the Illini to a record of (24-7) overall and (16-4) in the Big Ten Conference.
