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No Controversies At Goreville-Cairo Game

By Ryan Kruger

ANNA -- It was a packed house with a game that didn't disappoint. Cairo and Goreville played Wednesday night's regional playoff in a neutral site, Anna-Jonesboro. After allegations of racial harrassment at the last game, this one went off without a hitch.

Cairo players say on February 14th, a few Goreville fans harassed them with racial slurs as the game ended. And as their bus left the school a trucked pulled up alongside carrying a confederate flag.

That prompted the Illinois High School Association to move all regional games involving Cairo to Anna-Jonesboro High School.

The close game brought out fans from both sides, including several from Anna-Jonesboro. AJ senior Josiah Miller came to see a good game.

"Anytime there's a game I can come to it's better than sitting at home doing nothing," said Miller.

The game was originally scheduled to be played in Goreville. The switch takes away the Blackcats home court advantage. Something very valuable this time of year.

But the fans made up for it. Goreville had the larger crowd.

Mike Hull came to see his friend's kids play. He was glad to see a big crowd.

"It's nice to see all these Goreville fans, it's nice to see al these Cairo fans," said Hull, "it's a good crowd and I hope it's gonna be a good game."

Many Cairo parents insisted the game be moved. They admitted they were worried about the safety of their children.

Greg Harris of Cairo didn't believe the game needed to be moved. He came to support his daughter, a cheerleader, but he respects Goreville.

"We can't let two people make it bad for a community," Harris said.

Extra police were on hand to ensure safety.

An earlier story...

From the WSIL TV Channel 3 Website

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Leaders Prepare For Cairo-Goreville Game

By: Jeff Stensland

ANNA -- Officials spent the day Tuesday preparing for another basketball game between Goreville and Cairo. They will play on neutral ground, with plenty of police on hand.

"We're going to have plenty of security tonight," Anna-Jonesboro Superintendent Jim Woodward said. "I don't think we're going to need it."

As many as two dozen police officers will be keeping the peace at tonight's basketball regional played in Anna. That is after a racially charged incident ten days ago in Goreville, following a game with Cairo. Officers from Anna, Union County and the state are heading to the high school now. They will be joined by security brought in by Cairo High School, hoping for a clean game and no incidents afterward.

"This is high school sports," Woodward said. "It's supposed to be communities getting out and supporting their kids."

That is what Woodward hopes will be the result of the regional match-up between Goreville and Cairo. Surveillance video from February 14, 2011, showed the Cairo boys basketball team leaving Goreville. Shortly after, Cairo players and parents say a truck pulled up alongside the bus carrying a confederate flag.

The players say they were also subjected to racial slurs from Goreville fans as the game ended. As a result, the Illinois High School Athletic Association moved all regional games involving Cairo to Anna-Jonesboro High School.

"You've still got to play the game and you are still going to have the atmosphere and the crowd," Goreville Athletic Director Todd Tripp said.

Tripp says his school is losing a few hundred dollars as a result of the move.

"We're not worried about the money," Tripp said. "The biggest thing: you want that home court advantage."

"It's a situation where they are not going to get rich, but they are not going to lose any money on the tournament," Woodward said.

Woodward says IHSA will cover the cost of Anna-Jonesboro hosting the 1A regional tournament and share any revenues. In addition, booster clubs make money from concession stand sales--both at Monday night's game and Tuesday's game.

"Both those groups will make a couple hundred bucks, which goes to buying a few more costumes for the play or--for the basketball team--some practice shooting shirts or whatever it may be," Woodward said.

Tripp says Goreville's booster clubs will not be hit too hard. He says winning is at the forefront right now.

"If you get beat, you are done," Tripp said. "That's what's on both the coach's mind and the kids' minds, I'm assuming. I know that's the way we're thinking."

Goreville suspended the student behind the incident earlier this month.