Riders from opposing teams reach for the ball during a game of Donkey Basketball hosted by Live Oak High School FFA on March 6 in Ron Pritchard Gym. The community fundraiser featured teams from Luther/Encinal Elementary, Live Oak Middle School, Live Oak High School and FFA. Photo by Steven Bryla

LIVE OAK, CA (YSBC) - The Live Oak High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) hosted a fundraiser that mixed animals and athletics in the same field on March 6 as Donkey Basketball took over the campus.

There was a four-team tournament from within the Live Oak community that consisted of Luther/Encinal Elementary, Live Oak Middle School, Live Oak High School and the FFA.

The Luther/Encinal Elementary team won the Donkey Basketball tournament on March 6 at Live Oak High School. Photo by Steven Bryla

The donkeys were the show of the night as four riders from each team saddled up and hopped on the back of the donkey. 

There was a designated player on the court, who was able to throw in-bounds passes throughout the court and the main rule of all was a player could not go after a ball without being within leash distance of their rider.

Participants race for the ball while mounted on donkeys during the Donkey Basketball tournament hosted by Live Oak High School FFA on March 6. The event featured teams from across the Live Oak school community and raised funds for the FFA program. Photo by Steven Bryla

The Luther/Encinal won the trophy as they knocked out the middle school in the first game and defeated the high school in the eight-minute finale.

This was the first time that the Luther/Encinal squad has ever won a match in Donkey Basketball.

There was a brief intermission throughout the night where anyone in attendance had the opportunity to pet the animals and give them some extra love.

For more sports coverage on local schools, visit ysbcsports.com today.

During a break in the Donkey Basketball fundraiser March 6 at Live Oak High School, families and students had the opportunity to meet and pet the donkeys used in the games. Photo by Steven Bryla