Big Sky Resort and The Yellowstone Club faced off in Donkey Basketball to benefit the Lone Peak High Booster Club.  Photo by Sarah Blechta.



TEN PLAYERS, eight donkeys, one basketball.  Last Friday, Big Sky Resort and The Yellowstone Club faced off in one of the most intense games of Donkey Basketball the state of Montana has ever seen.  With a final score of 20-2, Big Sky Resort dominated with a steady stream of baskets while the Yellowstone Club struggled, making just two points with 10 seconds left on the clock. 

But the win didn’t come without hemming and hee-hawing – the donkeys on both teams paid no heed to their riders, breaking into spontaneous sprints right as players tried to make baskets and stubbornly refusing to move when de-mounted players attempted to retrieve loose balls.  Some players spent most of the game trying to get back on their animal, while others held on for dear life as donkeys kicked and ran.

But Mike Unruh, Big Sky Mountain Manager and secret Donkey Whisperer worked his donkey magic to gain surprising control, catching the Yellowstone Club off guard and scoring several baskets for Big Sky.  Big Sky’s teamwork skills paid off with long passing sequences and steady scoring.

The event benefitted the Lone Peak High Booster Club, raising significant funds with a packed house, and settled a long and heated donkey basketball rival between two major Big Sky organizations. 

-  Greer

Team Big Sky used exceptional teamwork and donkey whispering skills to score 20 points


Big Sky's Chad Jones tries to tame his Donkey as it heads directly into the stands.  Photo by Sarah Blechta.




Team Big Sky wins!

 
Team Big Sky and Team Yellowstone Club put aside their differences for a joint photo post-game