A fundraiser for the Parent Teacher Organization at Merkel Middle/Junior High School featured a game of donkey basketball. The teams were drawn from local groups who played each other in a short bracket tournament.

The game is basically what its name suggests – basketball played while riding a donkey. Players don’t dribble the ball, they walk with it while pulling their donkey along by the halter. Passes must be made to people astride their donkey, and only mounted players can try for a basket.

The donkeys are shod with special rubber shoes to prevent slipping. This also allows the stop quickly, duck their heads, and let the rider tumble off. Players wear helmets and are instructed before the match how to properly treat the donkeys.