By Rodney Haas 
605 Sports 

RAPID CITY — A year ago Joise Andersen was sitting courtside at the Summit Arena watching her dad Luke officiate a game during the Lakota Nation Invitational. 

At the time, Josie was just beginning her officiating career — having recently officiated a junior varsity game in Watertown and later a junior varsity game in Rapid City — while her dad was one of the many invited officials from across the state to officiate the four-day, 48-team tournament that takes over The Monument’s three arenas — Ice, Barnett and Summit. 

By January, Joise officiated her first varsity game and a year later, she found herself no longer watching her father, but instead working alongside him. 

“I never expected to be here doing this already or getting varsity games,” Josie said. “This wasn’t my intent coming out of high school and going to college. I didn’t think I was going to be officiating, and now doing this. It’s really an honor to do this early in my reffing career. 

Josie joined a group of six women to officiate this year’s LNI, which according to Larry Osborne, who helps coordinate officials for the tournament with Dave Dolan, said the number has been as high as 10. 

“The way she officiates, it doesn't seem like a second year official,” Osborne said of Josie. “We got some good reviews from the observers in the northeast corner and they had nothing but high praise for her. This year we had a lot of officials cancel and she was coming out here with her dad so it was perfect to fill that spot.” 

Osborne added how the tournament is a hard tournament to work with a constant schedule of games that begins at 8 a.m. and sometimes the final game doesn’t tip off until 8 p.m.

“We want to make sure you can work it. We’re always looking for better officials and for officials to get better,” he said. “Honestly a lot of it is in the right place at the right time. After the day it was decided to bring her out, I had 10 officials cancel on me — not because they didn’t want to work, they were sick or had other family things going on.” 

Josie decided to become an official when her dad texted her about Deuel High School needing officials for its lower level games. He thought it would be a good way for her to earn some extra money while she attends South Dakota State University where she’s majoring in public relations and minoring in nutrition.  

“It’s pretty cool,” Luke said. “She’s really taken a liking to it. The guys and girls have been really cool with her. It’s cool to see her stay involved with high school athletics.” 

Luke Andersen and his daughter Josie officiate the Cheyenne Eagle-Butte vs Omaha Nation girls basketball game Saturday, Dec. 19 2025 during the Lakota Nation Invitational at the Ice Arena in Rapid City. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)
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For Josie, who was a three-sport athlete for the Cardinals  — participating in volleyball, girls basketball and track and field, one of the biggest challenges she’s faced has been how young she is compared to the more older officials and how she’s two years removed from high school.  

“It’s kind of hard reffing girls and boys that are a year or two younger than me. I got over it. I don’t act like I’m super young when I ref and I think that helps me,” Josie said.  “When I ref with some of the veteran referees, they can help me during the game. If we have player problems or if I just need some advice to help with being in location.” 

For Luke, who has been a basketball official for 16 years, his first LNI experience was in 2021 when he was invited to his first tournament. He returned last year after missing two years to serve as head girls basketball coach at Deuel and brought Josie.  

“I think they thought it was neat she came out here and put in the time and effort,” Luke said. “They used to bring in some newer officials on Saturday and give them an opportunity to work and about a month ago they asked if that would work for her and if she was coming out. As we got closer there were some officials that got sick or couldn't make it and it opened up the door for her to work some more games and with some phenomenal officials. It’s pretty neat opportunity for her.” 

Especially in her second year? 

“I think back to my second year. I was maybe five or 10 varsity games and a lot of lower level, a lot of middle school, a lot of JV. So for her to climb the ladder a little faster is pretty unique. Part of that is the lack of officials where she can make that jump a little quicker for necessity.” 

As Josie enters her second year of her officiating career, her schedule has gone from an occasional varsity game to a schedule packed full of them, along the way the support of the officiating community. 

“When I called around to ask about how she officiates, they said she’s really good. After watching her the first day, she is good. She’s going to be really good. Depends upon how long she wants to stick with it,” Osborne said.