Cairo Illinois is a small town where economic and environmental challenges have left lasting scars. However, a local basketball team, the Cairo Pilots, uplifts hearts and changes how a local community perceives itself for the better.
The maroon bleachers gleamed under the gym’s fluorescent lights. The polished wooden court carried the echoes of squeaky basketball shoes. This is familiar ground for the Cairo Pilots, a football team steeped in history and grit.
Cairo, Illinois, is not directly related to Cairo, Egypt, other than sharing the same name. The name Cairo was chosen for the Illinois city as part of a 19th-century trend of naming American towns after famous cities from antiquity, especially from the Middle East and classical Europe. This was often done to evoke grandeur or cultural significance.
Just months ago, the Cairo Pilots basketball team took third place in the Appleknocker Holiday Tournament, a fiercely competitive event for southern Illinois teams. Earlier in February, they were back in Cobden, aiming for a regional title.
For the senior players of the football team, Domarion Nunez and Kevin Robinson, the stakes couldn’t be higher. This could be their final game, their last chance to run through the tunnel of cheering teammates as their names echoed across the gym.
Their opponent, the top-seeded Goreville Blackcats, seemed like giants in comparison—towering players with a near-perfect season record.
Yet, It’s not just about size. It’s about heart,” says Nunez.
The odds were stacked against them. Cairo is a small town where economic and environmental challenges have left lasting scars.
The collapse of river trade, the rise of railroads, and the closure of key housing complexes in 2017 all contributed to the town’s decline. But basketball remains a constant source of pride and resilience.
“Basketball is what we do. It’s what brings us together,” says Nunez.
On nearly every street, there’s a basketball hoop. Some are shiny and new, others weathered or missing backboards. For decades, Cairo has produced athletic legends, like NBA stars Tyrone Nesby and Lorenzo Duncan.
Yet today, the high school struggles to retain players as families seek opportunities elsewhere. Without a conference affiliation, the Pilots rely on independently scheduled games and tournaments to stay competitive.
A Cairo alumni, Coach Josh Baldwin, is determined to revive the ‘Pilot Standard’, a tradition of excellence both on and off the court.
“It’s not just about winning. It’s about what basketball teaches these kids. Discipline, perseverance, and the idea that they can achieve more,” says Baldwin.
For Nunez, basketball was transformative. He didn’t start playing until eighth grade, and early struggles nearly made him quit.
“I had to fight through tough times and push myself,” says Nunez.
By his junior year, he was leading the team, scoring 27 points in a pivotal game against a top-ranked opponent. Off the court, he excelled as a student, becoming class valedictorian and starting a car detailing business.
According to team-mate Robinson, his journey was different. He wants to help others and show that they can all succeed together. He says his future is as a solar electrician and entrepreneur.
A football player before moving to Cairo, Robinson says that he quickly embraced basketball as his new outlet. According to Robinson, this town eats, sleeps, and breathes basketball.
“It’s what keeps us out of trouble and brings the community together,” says Robinson.
Robinson dreams of earning his CDL license, getting certified in multiple trades, and ultimately retiring his parents.
“That’s my goal—to make sure my family is taken care of,” says Robinson.
On the court, the seniors fought valiantly against Goreville. The Blackcats’ towering players and deep bench proved too much, but the Pilots gave everything they had.
When the final buzzer sounded, the scoreboard read 97-65. Despite the loss, the crowd roared with applause—not for the score, but for the spirit of the team wearing the Pilot jersey.
After the game, Baldwin reflected on his first season as Head Coach.
“It’s been tough finding my voice and building trust, but these kids inspire me”, says Baldwin.
According to him they want someone who believes in them.
The players echoed that sentiment, crediting Baldwin for being a mentor and role model.
“Coach really cares about us, he pushes us to be better on and off the court”, says Robinson.
As Cairo rebuilds its team, its junior high players are already showing promise.
The town is rebuilding too. New homes are being constructed with innovative technology, and the opening of a grocery store with fresh produce marks a turning point for a community long overlooked.
Baldwin is optimistic.
“We’ve got people fighting for this town and these kids. If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere,” says Baldwin.
The Pilots may not have claimed a championship this season, but their resilience mirrors the spirit of Cairo itself: determined, hopeful, and ready for whatever comes next.
Notes from the Editor: This feature has been edited from its original publication here.
