True Value wins in Donkey Basketball

Special to the Sierra Star

Cal tatum/Sierra Star It can be difficult to control a basketball and a stubborn donkey at the same time, which makes for some very exciting basketball.

 

Four teams competed in a single-elimination tournament at Monday night’s 14th annual Donkey Basketball game held on the Yosemite High School court.

True Value/H&L Lumber Company team was the undefeated champion as it soundly crushed the Yosemite High School Teachers in the final championship game. In their first, extremely physical, game True Value beat Yosemite Lumber Company. YHS Teachers had earlier eliminated the YHS Future Farmers of America.

It was a sold-out crowd, the bleachers were full and the latecomers had to stand.

At half time there was a raffle for numerous prizes that had been donated from local merchants in the Oakhurst community. Simultaneously, small children were allowed to sit on and pet the donkeys.

A tradition that started last year was the awarding of 10 percent of the profits to another classroom in the Coarsegold/Oakhurst area. This year’s lucky winner was the Mrs. Harsha’s second-grade class at Oakhurst Elementary. To win this money all the kids had to do was sign in at the game, indicating which school and teacher they represented. The class with the most names wins.

Donkey Basketball has been an annual tradition to highlight National FFA Week and bring the community together for a fun evening.

All passes and baskets must be made while astride a donkey with every player riding a donkey. If a donkey should “relieve” himself on the court, during the game, a time-out is called, and the rider must clean up the mess before play can continue.