Hoops and Hee-Haws: Donkey Basketball Brings the Chaos to Crab Orchard

Crab Orchard FFA Alumni hosted a wild night of four-legged fun April 22, raising funds for the local FFA chapter as players tried their best to shoot, score—and stay saddled.

Ashton Fox

Tanner Bailey takes a spill after his donkey starts bucking during the Crab Orchard FFA Alumni’s donkey basketball game.

Ashton Fox, Photographer

Crab Orchard Superintendent Sy Stone rises for a basket as part of the opening round of the donkey basketball fundraiser. (Ashton Fox)

CRAB ORCHARD — The Crab Orchard FFA Alumni hosted a donkey basketball game Tuesday, April 22 as a fundraiser for the Crab Orchard FFA chapter. Four teams competed for a spot in the championship game, drawing a lively crowd and plenty of laughs as participants attempted to navigate the court on their stubborn teammates.

Donkey basketball, a long-running novelty fundraiser in rural communities, mixes traditional basketball with the unpredictability of riding donkeys. The events are often organized to raise money for school programs, local charities or community projects.