Staff Report
A tradition with roots in the Great Depression, donkey basketball once again filled the Churchill County High School gym with laughter and community spirit on Monday night, March 23, proving that the game’s blend of slapstick and sport still delivers pure joy in a modern world.
First gaining popularity as affordable entertainment for rural America in the 1930s, donkey basketball quickly became a staple small-town fundraiser: daring local riders, unpredictable four-legged teammates, and a crowd hungry for comic relief. Decades later, the formula hasn’t changed—families chat in the bleachers, kids race up the steps, and as soon as the donkeys parade onto the court, the gym erupts with delighted laughter, connecting today’s audience to generations past.
Four teams took to the court Monday night for donkey basketball: senior boys, senior girls, coaches, and Banner Health Churchill Community Hospital staff. The senior boys defeated the senior girls 12-6 in the opening matchup. The coaches then rolled past the Banner team, 10-2, with Riley Horn leading the way as both rider and shooter. In the third-place game, the senior girls and the Banner team tied 6-6. The championship featured a spirited showdown between the senior boys and coaches, with the coaches prevailing 18-12. Horn again proved instrumental in scoring. Despite a late surge by the senior boys, time ran out before they could close the gap. Photo below: CCHS teacher and varsity baseball coach Riley Horn shows he can wrangle more than just baseballs—scoring big points for the coaches and outmaneuvering a stubborn donkey or two.
The fundraiser organized by the Churchill County High School (CCHS) Grad Nite committee tapped into that quirky tradition, bringing together teachers, students, and volunteers for a lively contest. The donkeys mainly ambled around the court in a tight group, frequently standing their ground and refusing to budge even as players tugged and coaxed them in different directions. This event was just one of several creative efforts launched by the Grad Nite committee to rally the school community in support of a safe and memorable graduation celebration for the Class of 2026.
This year, the Grad Nite committee will bus students to the Coconut Bowl in Reno for a night of bowling, laser tag, arcade games, bumper cars, mini-golf, food, and prizes. By providing supervised transportation and exclusive access, organizers aim to ensure a safe and sober graduation night for all seniors. Fundraiser proceeds help cover transportation, facility rental, and prizes—making this memorable event possible for the Class of 2026.
The ongoing fundraising efforts are a testament to the commitment and spirit of the CCHS community. By coming together for events like donkey basketball, parents, staff, and local businesses are showing their support for a program that keeps students safe while allowing them to celebrate a major milestone. The Grad Nite celebration isn’t just about fun—it’s about creating lasting memories and ensuring that every senior gets the send-off they deserve.
As the final buzzer sounded and the donkeys were led off the court, the gym settled back into its familiar quiet. But the laughter lingered, along with the sense that this oddball tradition still had a place in modern school life. In a world full of polished events and digital distractions, donkey basketball offered something refreshingly simple—a chance for a community to come together, let loose, and enjoy a little joyful chaos.
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