Serious basketball, silly costumes for all: Donkeys vs Unicorns basketball tournament debuts at Cedarcrest High School

Published 11:27 am Wednesday, February 17, 2016

It may have been for charity, but the Donkeys vs. Unicorns basketball tournament at Cedarcrest High School Thursday, Feb. 11, was also for glory.

Students and teachers brought their A games to this serious half-court basketball tournament, riding what event organizer Mike Ruhland called “adult-sized bouncy balls,” dressed as unicorns, donkeys and an ostrich or two. The players were in costume, too.

Tutus were everywhere, along with headbands, cowboy hats, and at least one big, blonde wig, but the real attention-getters of the evening were the skills. Junior Emma Cremeen had a couple of impressive fast breaks, dribbling the basketball while simultaneously hopping on her bouncy beast. Senior Josh Budig blocked shots with well-timed jumps of his unicorn and teacher David McLaughlin kept up a steady stream of encouragement to teammates, even while bouncing on the court.

The tournament, organized by Ruhland’s ASB students, was a benefit for a family in the Riverview School District.

Teacher David McLaughlin, right, keeps tenuous contact with his unicorn as he races for a rebound.

Students laugh as they fall off their bouncy balls, trying to catch the loose ball.

It’s a donkey-unicorn pileup under the basket when both teams jump for a rebound.

In the juniors (unicorns) vs. seniors (donkeys) match, students played their most serious basketball games.