From the WSIL TV Channel 3

Link to Original Story

Concerns About Pilot's Early Season Schedule

By: Andy Waterman

ALEXANDER COUNTY-- Cairo High School is home to a boys basketball program rich in tradition. But unfortunately their home is often empty on game nights.

"We have a lot of travel, there's been a history of not having teams come into our arena," said superintendent Leotis Swopes.

School officials aren't sure why teams don't want to play there, but since they don't, it forces the Pilots to travel everywhere. That costs the district a lot of time and gasoline.

"It costs additional money due to the travel, yes, no question. Because we have to go further distances and gas prices aren't cheap," Swopes said.

Aside from cost, the team has to work around scheduling conflicts. They were scheduled to play in the Du Quoin Tournament this year, but dates got switched. So now the Pilots have to play two games in Du Quoin and another in Springfield, all in a 24 hour span. A tight turnaround, which has some concerned it may be too much on the boys.

"Somehow that got changed this year, and because those dates weren't confirmed early enough, we had to go with the schedule that we have," said Swopes. "It's unbearable, but we're going to try to work it out."

Swopes says so many games in such a short span isn't typical, but he expects the Pilots will do well regardless.

"I think that youth will prevail, and I think the students, as long as they're excited about playing will be okay," Swopes said.

After this weekend's trip, the Pilot's schedule will open up. They play at home six times this year, more than many years past.

"Hopefully that will continue, you know as we go out and our kids represent themselves well, I think we'll continually get home and home situations, and hopefully closer contests," said Swopes.

IHSA officials say they have nothing to do with scheduling, and they understand that it's difficult for Cairo to pick up games. They also note that there are other teams who travel just as far for different tournaments.

CAT Tracks Editor's Note:

My typical "catty commentary" turned personal and so I removed it from this page.

If you don't give a CAT's butt about my trips down memory lane, then it's time for you to leave. You won't miss anything other than my pointed observation of the "conflict of schedules"...the Cairo Pilots first game tonight in Muhlenburg County, Kentucky, and the Special Meeting called for tonight by the Cairo Board of Education.

For you die-hards...

CATty Commentary