Deschutes, Crook deputies square off in donkey basketball

Hooves were trotting and shots were dropping in the sixth annual donkey basketball game on Saturday in Redmond.

Hundreds packed into the Obsidian Middle School gym to watch deputies from the Crook County Sheriff’s Office square off against the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.

Donkey basketball is a just a bit different from the basketball we are used to.

The fast breaks take about 30 seconds, 3-point shots are few and far between, and while some assist on layups, others need assistance staying on the donkeys.

The deputies were making all the plays, but the donkeys are really the ones in control.

“You’re just trying to stay on them, for one,” Deschutes County sheriff’s Sgt. William Bailey said. “Then you’re just trying to get a shot when you can.”

The game was a good one and went down to the wire. Deschutes County’s team captain, Sheriff Shane Nelson, was taking notes the whole time.

“We are trying to get some ‘intel’ on the other team so we can develop a little bit of a strategy for next year,” Nelson said. “Right now, we are neck and neck, and I think it’s going all right.”

It’s cool to see people attempt to make highlights while on the backs of donkeys, but this game is truly special for another reason.

All proceeds benefit the Central Oregon Shriners in their efforts to support the Shriners Hospital for Children in Portland.

Each year, more than 100 children from Central Oregon are treated at the Shriners Hospital for Children.

“It just allows us to develop programs that make money for the hospital and supports children like Payton Gregory,” said Andrew Stearns, the director of donkey basketball.

Gregory is a patient in the orthopedic unit at the hospital. He is also the patient ambassador for donkey basketball, and he knows the importance of this game

“We have it so people can donate money or toys to us, and then we can get them and bring them to the hospital,” Gregory said.

It’s a great cause, and overall, a great game.

“It was more fun than any basketball game that I’ve ever been to,” audience member Riley Helm said.

There was a lot of fun, some camaraderie and just a little bit of competition mixed in for the day.

In the end, the Crook County team defeated Deschutes County in a close one, 33-31.

However, in a game like this, the whole community wins.