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Cairo, Goreville schools respond to game change

By Julia Bruck

BLOOMINGTON, IL (KFVS) - The Cairo, Illinois high school basketball team will not have to head back to Goreville to play basketball anytime soon.

Many Cairo students and their parents didn't want to go back after an incident following a game between Goreville and Cairo Monday night.

That's when a Goreville student admitted to following the bus carrying the Cairo basketball team and waving a rebel flag.

In an announcement on the Illinois High School Association's website the agency announced that the game between Cairo and its opponent Cobden will now be played at Anna-Jonesboro.

The IHSA's Website goes on to say that the reason for the change is due to "an unfortunate incident that occurred off campus following a regular-season game between Goreville and Cairo."

The website goes on to say:

"Regrettably, two students from Goreville High School took it upon themselves to harass the coaches, players and cheerleaders from Cairo High School as their bus began its trip home," said IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman.

"This unprovoked attempt to intimidate or incite those on the Cairo High School bus is inexcusable. While we appreciate the strong and aggressive action taken by Goreville High School with regard to these students, we believe that the prudent thing to do is to move any games involving Cairo High School to another site for the time being," Hickman added.

The IHSA says if Cairo advances, any of their games will be played at Anna-Jonesboro High School.

Cairo High School Principal Mark McClintock said he's pleased with the decision to move the game, because he thinks it's best for the safety of the students.

Cairo Director of Curriculum and Instruction Rose Gayle Pickett said she was shocked when she heard about the incident, and immediately started thinking about changing the location of the upcoming game.

"We're pleased that the IHSA not only listened to what we said, but heard what we said about our concerns in returning to Goreville, especially so soon after the incident. One of the things that we discussed was an alternate site, and they've chosen Anna, and that pleases us," said Pickett.

Pickett said some students are excited about the change of venue because she says they just want to play.

The Goreville Boy's basketball team will be back on the court Friday night. It will be the first time the team will play ball since a racially motivated incident earlier this week.

Since the incident with Cairo, Goreville Superintendent Steve Webb says they are doing their best to resolve the situation. Webb says they respect the wishes of Cairo High School not to play a regional game at Goreville next week. That game between Cairo and Cobden will now be played at Anna-Jonesboro High School.

Meanwhile, Webb says investigations by both the Illinois State Police and Goreville Police found no gun shots were fired. Something both the players and cheerleaders on the Cairo bus claimed.

Cairo players also told Heartland News some fans after the game yelled racial slurs. Webb says they have not been able to identify witnesses off surveillance video from the game. But he adds they don't condone what happened and have spoken to the student body about good sportsmanship.

"Obliviously with all the media attention on the regional tournament being played here, we want to get the message not only to our student body and our community, this will not be tolerated here and actions will be taken if such an event does take place," Webb said.

Webb says their investigation found two students were involved. That second student has since been suspended, as well.

Webb says after what happened Monday, there will be extra police presence when the Blackcats host the regional boy's basketball tournament next week.