The gym was packed with laughter and curious spectators as the community gathered for a wildly entertaining night of donkey basketball, a bracket-style tournament that pitted school staff, community members, current students and alumni against each other — all while attempting to play basketball from the backs of somewhat cooperative donkeys.
The event was organized as a fundraiser for the PLTHS chapter of the Gray Matters Collective. The games were provided and officiated by Dairyland Donkey Ball. More information can be found at dairylanddonkeyball.com
If you’ve never seen donkey basketball before, imagine a normal basketball game — then add animals with their own ideas about teamwork.
The evening began with the first matchup: district school staff versus community members.
Community members Chad Anderson, Josh Dedina, Austin Hanson, Garrett Passmore, Jessi Porter, Christin Roman, Jenna Scrifes, Todd Slock, Jared/Shay Strader and Tony Wade made up The Main Street Mules. PLT staff were The Grade-A Gallopers: Heather Allison, Jodi Farral, Tara Gabriel, Jim Geer, Nate Jones, Maggie Linden, Angie Schroeder and Cindy Slock
Teachers and administrators quickly discovered that classroom management skills don’t necessarily translate to donkey management. Several players spent more time negotiating with their four-legged teammates than attempting shots.
One teacher reportedly attempted to explain gravity to his donkey after sliding sideways during a rebound attempt. The donkey remained unconvinced.
At the intermission, Tampico Elementary Principal Jim Geer made a new four-legged friend after his school raised the most donations to see which school administrator would have to pucker up and give a big ol’ kiss to one of the long-eared athletes.
Despite the occasional mid-court donkey standoff and one animal that decided defense was overrated and wandered toward the main exit, the community team managed to secure the first win of the night.
Next up was the battle of generations: current students versus alumni.
The alumni team, Back in the Saddle, consisted of Brady Abell, Gabi Abell, Grace Abell, Owen Farral, Chloe Slock and Jaiden Zais. The current students, Late Bell Riders, were Gaven Adams, Ellah Brooks, Nate Hinton, Conner Johnson, Sarah Link, Darek Naftzger, Maddi Porter, Wynn Renkes, Gus Schultz and Steve Swatos.
The alumni arrived confident, with some claiming they still had “the old moves.” Unfortunately, those moves did not include convincing a donkey to run in the same direction as the basketball.
One former player attempted a fast break only to have his donkey stop abruptly at half court and stare into the distance as if contemplating life choices. Meanwhile, the students, who appeared slightly more adaptable to the chaos, slowly pulled ahead with a series of impressive shots — many taken while hanging sideways from the saddle.
The current students advanced to the championship game, setting up a final showdown against the community members.
By this point, both teams had learned the most important rule of donkey basketball: sometimes the donkey is the real coach.
The championship game featured dramatic moments, including one player scoring while his donkey casually walked the wrong direction and another player losing a shoe while attempting a layup. Spectators cheered every wobbling shot attempt and every unexpected donkey pivot.
In the end, the community members edged out the students in the final matchup, claiming bragging rights and proving that persistence — and possibly snacks for the donkey — can go a long way.
No official statistics were kept, though several unofficial categories may have included:
- Most dramatic donkey refusal
- Longest unintended ride away from the basket
- Best sideways shot attempt
While the scoreboard declared a winner, the real victory of the night was the laughter echoing through the old gymnasium. Families, students, alumni and staff all shared an evening that will likely be remembered as one of the most unusual sporting events in Prophetstown history.
And if nothing else, everyone learned an important lesson: You can lead a donkey to a basketball court … but you can’t make it run a pick-and-roll.
