Stanley FFA Hosts Donkey Basketball
The show was able to go on for the Stanley FFA Donkey Basketball on Tuesday, Apr. 28, after rescheduling their original January date. The night was filled with fun, laughs, and a few bruises as Dairyland Donkeyball returned to town.
Stanley FFA Officers beat out the Stanley Public School staff in the first matchup of the night, then the Community Team #2 beat out Community Team #1 in a close competition to make it into the championship. After a low-scoring game, Stanley FFA Officers were able to take home the championship!
Spectators were given quite the treat all night as they watched rider after rider fall off, slide off or give up and pull the donkey’s lead to get them where they wanted them to go. The problem for those riders was if they wanted to shoot or pass the ball, they also had to be astride their donkey. To touch the ball at all in terms of rebounding or picking up the loose ball, the rider still had to at least maintain control and contact with the lead.
The FFA office team members were Tylie Johnson, CeeJay Bohmbach, Drew Pennington, Rebecca Littlefield, Carter Goettle, Brenna Wenger, Brooklyn Weyrauch, Kerrigan Gustafson, Landon Hunting, Henry Sorenson, Logan Longmuir and Kayden Uran. They were coached by Bailey Hawbaker and Rivers Bachman.
Team Staff included Kaitlyn Zeleny, Zachary Norstedt, Leah Lorenz, Brooks Stafslien, Jodi Obert, Erin Essler, Emarie Verano, Kendra Evensold, Jaxton Lorenz and Indira Abucayan. They were coached by Jana Enger and Sarah Sorenson.
Community Team #1 players were Chris Nordloef, Heath Hetzel, Penny Wolter, Justin Goettle, Nathan Carico, Drew Nichols, a City Police Officer, Jenn Larson, Lakyn Rudolph and Sara Pennington. They were coached by Tim Holte.
Community Team #2 players were Ryan Sullivan, Carson Enger, Dusty Cossette, Kyle DeTienne, Nikki Longmuir, Bobbi Johnson, Megan Colbenson, Becky Goettle, Ashley Kuster and Jessica Niemitalo. They were coached by Michelle Goodall.
Stanley FFA is grateful to everyone who participated in the event by riding, coaching, working in the ticket booth, working in the kitchen/concessions, or lending a hand as a pooper scooper. The organization greatly appreciates the help.
The event would not be possible without all of the sponsors. Team sponsors were Farmers Union Insurance, CWS LLC., Gooseneck Implement, Meiers Oil, BNC National Bank, Springan Stevenson Funeral Home, MC Property, Prairie Ford, Out West Express, Birdsall Grain & Seed, JM Oilfield Services, Cossette Construction, Stickman, Border Plains Equipment, Gifts by the Lake, Brosz Engineering, Cornerstone Bank, Optometry Clinic, Tractor Supply Co., Bravera Wealth, Elite Enterprises, Grady and Lisa Uran Family, Vast Diesel Performance and Gustafson Septic.
Gold sponsors were Harstad Farms, E&E Beef, United Quality, A+ Towing and A + Fireworks, Mountrail Builders, Sage 52, NAPA, MWEC, Larson Tire and Bakken Transload.
Silver sponsors were The Riv, Aflac, Dean Trucking, Pinnacle, Thrivent, Stanley Dental, Twin Lilies, Wilson Park Takeaway Cafe, RT Express Hot Shot LLC and DeTienne Ranch.
Bronze sponsors were Wing Financial, Joyces Cafe, Stuck on You and Black Gold.
This year’s announcer was Wade Enget. Pooper scoopers were David Enander, Wyatt Goettle and Dylan Enger. Scorekeeper was Shelby Holte. Beth Wilhelmi was the event photographer.
Some of this year’s donkeys were Ex-Lax, Mr. Ed, Enforcer, Rigor Mortis, Super Stupid, Earthquake, Killer and Elvis, with extras Hemorrhoid and Widow Maker.