McKenzie Sports Report – February 12
McKenzie Varsity Sports Schedule This Week
The McKenzie Varsity Boys and Girls Basketball teams host Siletz Valley on Tuesday, February 10, with the Boys Varsity game starting at 5:30 pm and the Girls Varsity game tipping off at 7:00 pm.
The Eagle Varsity Boys team hosts Mapleton on Thursday, February 12. Tip-off time is 6:00 pm. A Boys Junior Varsity game with Mohawk will precede the Varsity Boys game, starting at 4:00 pm. There will be no Varsity girl’s game.
The McKenzie Athletic Department will host a Donkey Basketball game on Friday, February 6. The event will start at 7:00 pm will be held in the New Gymnasium and feature Eagle alumni vs. McKenzie Boys and Girls Varsity basketball players.
Eagle Girls Lose 33-52 To Riddle,
Forfeit To Eddyville Charter
Lose Close One To Oakridge, 40-41
The McKenzie Varsity Girls basketball team were soundly defeated by the visiting Riddle Irish last Tuesday, February 3, 33-52, forfeited to the Eddyville Charter Eagles, February 5, and dropped a close game to the Warriors of Oakridge in Finn Rock two days later, Saturday, February 7.
McKenzie will host the Siletz Valley Warriors on Tuesday, February 10, which is the last scheduled Regular Season game of the season. The Eagles will honor the senior members of the team and their parent/guardians on Tuesday prior to the game.
McKenzie Boys Drop A Couple
Pick Up A Win Against Oakridge
After turning the corner with a couple of wins at home versus Crow/Northwest Christian Academy and Alsea, the McKenzie Boys Basketball team found themselves back on the losing end with two losses to Riddle and Eddyville Charter.
The Irish of Riddle drove up from down South in Douglas County for a non-league contest and promptly held McKenzie to 33 points while finishing with 52 points for the win. The Irish, representing the Skyline League are currently 1-5 in Skyline League play and 11-8 overall.
The Eagle offense seemed to be stuck on 33 points as Eddyville Charter also held McKenzie to that total while outscoring their visitors by 22 points (55 total). That game was played in Eddyville on Thursday, February 5.
The Oakridge Warriors rolled into the Eagle gym the next eve for a non-league opportunity and McKenzie rallied to avenge an earlier season 46-47 loss up in Oakridge. This night the Eagles prevailed 53-49.
Two games remain on the Boys Regular season schedule. The Tuesday night game with Siletz Valley at home is the final Mt. West League game and the Eagles will also honor their senior athletes and their parents/guardians. A non-league game with Mapleton follows on Thursday, February 12.
Hee Haw! Donkey Basketball Returns!
Hold ‘yer horses, y’all, it’s time to haul out your old straw hat, throw on some wranglers and boots and come on down to the New Gym at McKenzie High School for the return of Donkey Basketball. The fundraising event, presented by Donkey Sports, Inc. of Entiat, Washington, has a long history at McKenzie but it’s been a spell since the world famous four legged hoopsters have graced the Eagle hardwood.
What is Donkey Basketball you ask? Well, first, it does involve real, well-trained donkeys, and you bet your boots, they will be out there on the court. Game rules include four donkeys per team with a partner two-legged riding. And each team will have one two-legged corralled in the center circle, who are not allowed to leave that circle until (and if) a point is scored, when they retrieve the ball for a throw in.
The game starts with a jump ball with these two players and should a loose ball roll into that circle during play, well, let’s just say, all bets are off on how to secure the ball for your team!
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, or should we say, on the court, the riders must stay on their donkey partners as much as possible and they must be on the donkey to make any points or pass the basketball.
Side note: Have you ever tried to shoot a balanced shot off a moving donkey? Riders are not allowed to steal the ball unless they are seated or nearly so, which is where natural athletic skills may or may not present themselves. However, and this is where the belly laughs start to hurt, riders are allowed to exit said donkey to attempt to go after a loose ball, with one caveat! They must take their donkey partner with them.
Which typically proves the point that not all folks, even Democrats, know Donkey speak! Riders are helmeted for obvious reasons including most folks who haven’t sat astride of a fine donkey as of late, or ever! Some finish the game in the same state.
The real stars of the show, the Donkeys wear little rubber boots that keep their feet from damaging the gym floor.
Well now that you are so curious you can’t hardly wait to see this for yourself, the game is on this Friday, February 13, at 7:00 pm in the McKenzie High School New Gym. Riders will feature Eagle Alumni bravehearts versus the McKenzie Varsity Boys and Girls Basketball teams.
Bring the whole family, even Grandma, who might even be a Donkey Basketball vet. Children will love this iconic show and will be afforded an opportunity to meet, pet and sit on the Donkeys at the halftime break.
Or maybe you have a hankerin’ to help out. Pooper scoopers are always in demand and will get a first hand (shovel and broom) up-close experience. Be sure to charge up your phone or bring out the camera. Buck-le up, it’s time to laugh your “backside” off!
Advance tickets for this Eagle Fundraiser are as Adults: $13, Students (7-12): $10 and Children (K-6): $7. Gate Tickets are two bucks ($2.) more per ticket. Advance tickets are on sale currently so gallop on down to the McKenzie High School office and rope in a few. You’re not going to want to miss out on the Thrills, Spills and Lots of Laughs!!! See you there!