The buck begins here, donkey basketball raises money for Italy HS Band

Image: Former Gladiator basketball teammates Clayton Campbell, ‘Heath Clemons’ and Jasenio Anderson return to the Coliseum for some donkey basketball.

Former Gladiator basketball teammates Clayton Campbell, ‘Heath Clemons’ and Jasenio Anderson return to the Coliseum for some donkey basketball. (Barry Byers)

Image: Members of the Hollywood Hero’s Donkey Basketball Team, Reid Jacinto and Jaclynn Lewis, receive a scare and words of encouragement from cheerleader Larry Eubank.

Members of the Hollywood Hero’s Donkey Basketball Team, Reid Jacinto and Jaclynn Lewis, receive a scare and words of encouragement from cheerleader Larry Eubank. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hollywood’s Heroes’ Zack Boykin is super exited about participating in donkey basketball.

Hollywood’s Heroes’ Zack Boykin is super exited about participating in donkey basketball. (Barry Byers)

Image: After a few minutes, Zack Boykin is super tired after participating in donkey basketball as Hank Hollywood, the coach of Hollywood’s Heroes, checks the scoreboard.

After a few minutes, Zack Boykin is super tired after participating in donkey basketball as Hank Hollywood, the coach of Hollywood’s Heroes, checks the scoreboard. (Barry Byers)

Image: Marvin Cox poses with his sidekick before the tournament.

Marvin Cox poses with his sidekick before the tournament. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tara Wallis is pumped up over some donkey basketball as cheerleader Larry Eubank atomic bombs the photo.

Tara Wallis is pumped up over some donkey basketball as cheerleader Larry Eubank atomic bombs the photo. (Barry Byers)

Image: Brett Kirton, Gladiator Regiment Band member (drumline) and Joseph Barrett, pastor of Central Baptist Church of Italy, team up for donkey basketball fun.

Brett Kirton, Gladiator Regiment Band member (drumline) and Joseph Barrett, pastor of Central Baptist Church of Italy, team up for donkey basketball fun. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cheerleader Larry Mayberry hydrates after underestimating just how heavy his pom-poms would be.

Cheerleader Larry Mayberry hydrates after underestimating just how heavy his pom-poms would be. (Barry Byers)

Image: The look on wife Kim Varner’s face is priceless as her husband Stevan Varner lands arse first after being bucked from his donkey. Kim is the receptionist at Italy ISD and both Kim and Stevan own Varner’s Alon gas station in downtown Italy.

The look on wife Kim Varner’s face is priceless as her husband Stevan Varner lands arse first after being bucked from his donkey. Kim is the receptionist at Italy ISD and both Kim and Stevan own Varner’s Alon gas station in downtown Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Girls volleyball coach Jessika Robinson hits the court hard after losing her donkey.

Girls volleyball coach Jessika Robinson hits the court hard after losing her donkey. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy ISD senior Chase Hamilton gallops in for a goal.

Italy ISD senior Chase Hamilton gallops in for a goal. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cheerleader Larry Eubank congratulates Chase Hamilton on scoring a goal.

Cheerleader Larry Eubank congratulates Chase Hamilton on scoring a goal. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clint Holley(41) dazzled fans with his halftime performance by hitting a halfcourt shot on just his second attempt.

Clint Holley(41) dazzled fans with his halftime performance by hitting a halfcourt shot on just his second attempt. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy ISD Principal Lee Joffre takes a breather while trying to be the best donkey basketball cheerleader he can be. An aspiring centerfold, Joffre hopes to take up skydiving and solve world hunger…all in the same day.

Italy ISD Principal Lee Joffre takes a breather while trying to be the best donkey basketball cheerleader he can be. An aspiring centerfold, Joffre hopes to take up skydiving and solve world hunger…all in the same day. (Barry Byers)

Image: During halftime, the kiddos were allowed to come down to the court for donkey rides.

During halftime, the kiddos were allowed to come down to the court for donkey rides. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cole Hopkins of Hollywood’s Heroes gets matched up with the tallest donkey in the stable.

Cole Hopkins of Hollywood’s Heroes gets matched up with the tallest donkey in the stable. (Barry Byers)

Image: Nate Skelton (on the right) of Hollywood’s Heroes is ready to ride.

Nate Skelton (on the right) of Hollywood’s Heroes is ready to ride. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy HS cheerleader Taylor Turner was gracious enough to lead this wild bunch during the donkey basketball tournament held inside Italy Coliseum. Cheering with Miss Turner are (L-R): Barry Bassett (Italy ISD Superintendent), Lee Joffre (Italy ISD Principal), Mark Stiles (Italy ISD School Board), Larry Mayberry, Paul Cockerham (Italy ISD School Board), Sal Ramirez and Larry Eubank (Italy ISD School Board).

Italy HS cheerleader Taylor Turner was gracious enough to lead this wild bunch during the donkey basketball tournament held inside Italy Coliseum. Cheering with Miss Turner are (L-R): Barry Bassett (Italy ISD Superintendent), Lee Joffre (Italy ISD Principal), Mark Stiles (Italy ISD School Board), Larry Mayberry, Paul Cockerham (Italy ISD School Board), Sal Ramirez and Larry Eubank (Italy ISD School Board). (Barry Byers)

Image: Madison Washington, Devonteh Williams, Clayton Campbell and Jasenio Anderson are ready to get their arses in gear.

Madison Washington, Devonteh Williams, Clayton Campbell and Jasenio Anderson are ready to get their arses in gear. (Barry Byers)

Image: Arse-Kickers Stevan Varner, Tara Wallis, Devonteh Williams and DeeDee Hamilton prepare for the match.

Arse-Kickers Stevan Varner, Tara Wallis, Devonteh Williams and DeeDee Hamilton prepare for the match. (Barry Byers)

Image: Madison Washington falls from her donkey.

Madison Washington falls from her donkey. (Barry Byers)

Image: Modest and humble as always, Keith Davis gives all the credit of his team’s, “lack of success,” to his donkey with the mule appearing too stubborn to pull his own weight…and Keith’s.

Modest and humble as always, Keith Davis gives all the credit of his team’s, “lack of success,” to his donkey with the mule appearing too stubborn to pull his own weight…and Keith’s. (Barry Byers)

Image: Enjoying donkey basketball inside Italy Coliseum are Murrie Wainscott, his daughter Debra who was visiting from China, and wife Brenda.

Enjoying donkey basketball inside Italy Coliseum are Murrie Wainscott, his daughter Debra who was visiting from China, and wife Brenda. (Barry Byers)

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