Donkey basketball brings a barn-load of fun for good cause

BONNERS FERRY — Donkey basketball returned to Boundary County last Wednesday, packing the high school gym with laughter, applause and feats of athleticism — on the donkeys’ part.

FFA members and alumni, student athletes, coaches and many others competed against each other saddled up. The noble steads would occasionally get up to trot, but the competition and stakes of bray-ging rights were palpable.

The FFA alumni took the young members to school showing slow, steady and a soft tap to the donkey to win the race. The alumni team won 4-2.

The student athlete and coach game was neck-and-neck as coaches and athletes seemed to settle old scores from seasons past, but some coaches were better in the saddle as athletes occasionally fell off the donkey in a hurry. With two minutes left, Kelsey Carter, freshmen boys basketball coach, was on fire, sinking her third basket and putting the coaches ahead 6-2.

Danny Swift, BFHS assistant football coach, outmaneuvered his defense and gave the coaches the 8-2 win.

At halftime, community members were invited to interact with the donkeys and many young kiddos petting the animals thinking of when they could compete in donkey basketball.

The production was put on by the Bonners Ferry High School Future Farmers of America chapter.

Julie Smith Agriculture Education Instructor and FFA Adviser at BFHS told the Herald that approximately 600 tickets were sold and that $2,000 would be donated to Boundary County Victim Services.