The more time one spends witnessing recent Platte Valley graduate Cora Schissler's approach on the basketball court, it becomes increasingly obvious she is a coach's daughter.
During the Broncos' many lopsided wins en route to a 26-0 campaign and their second consecutive Class 3A girls basketball state title this past winter, Schissler remained steadfast in her desire to involve her teammates, never knowing when Platte Valley may need a full eight or nine players to step up to defend their championship.
But in those tense moments — particularly deep in the postseason when one bad stretch could spell the end of the Broncos' quest to become the first back-to-back champion in program history — Schissler knew when to call her own number. And, she was plenty willing to put the team on her back, put her head down and attack the basket, despite not being the largest or most physically imposing player on the court.
Schissler averaged a team high 15.8 points, to go with 2.7 steals, 2.3 assists and 3 rebounds per game.
And, most importantly, she got to defend Platte Valley's girls basketball title alongside a team she adores, including her sister, senior-to-be Andi Schissler, and her childhood friends, fellow graduates Brooke Bunting and Cassie Ridings, and senior-to-be Bree Bunting.
DENVER, CO - MARCH 11:Platte Valley's Cora Schissler (2) drives toward the basket as Grand Valley's Katie Ray (22) defends during the Platte Valley Broncos 3A girls basketball semifinal game against the Grand Valley Cardinals in Hamilton Gym at the University of Denver in Denver March 11, 2022. (Greeley Tribune file photo)
She also shared an incredible run on the volleyball court in the fall with many of those same teammates, en route to earning the Greeley Tribune's Girls Athlete of the Year honors.
The Broncos went 21-10 and were just a couple points from advancing to the 3A state volleyball finals, as Schissler racked up a team-high 413 digs to go with 42 aces and 18 assists as the team's libero this past season.
Schissler capped her excellent senior year and her superb high school athletic career by qualifying for the 3A state track and field championships in high jump.
In just a matter of weeks, Schissler will pack her bags for the southern part of the state where she will study elementary education and play women's basketball at CSU Pueblo.
But first, the Greeley Tribune caught up with Schissler to chat about her senior season and preps career.
KERSEY, CO - JUNE 15:Platte Valley's Cora Schissler attacks for a portrait in the gym at Platte Valley High School in Kersey June 15, 2022. Schissler is the Greeley Tribune's Girls Athlete of the Year for 2022. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
Q: (Fernandez) You couldn't have asked for a better way to wrap up your high school basketball career than by winning that second state title. But was there anything different about this state title as opposed to the one a year ago?
A: (Schissler) It was just different because the season wasn't as affected by COVID, and we had a lot more fans there. So, it felt different. It was definitely cool to win back to back.
Q: For your senior year, how cool was it to do something the program has never done before by winning two straight state titles? As far as getting the most out of your senior season, how big of a goal was that for you, and the rest of these girls, to defend that state title?
A: Since we were little, our goal was to win a state championship. Ever since elementary school, we would dream about it. So, winning back-to-back titles is really cool. And winning this year just really proved that it wasn't a fluke last year that we won. It was important that we won the championship again.
KERSEY, CO - JUNE 15:Platte Valley's Cora Schissler stands for a portrait in the gym at Platte Valley High School in Kersey June 15, 2022. Schissler is the Greeley Tribune's Girls Athlete of the Year for 2022. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
Q: Looking at your other two sports, what were you favorite moments from those seasons? Starting with volleyball: Obviously, you had a great run in the state tournament, were so close to getting to the finals. Did you have a favorite moment from the fall volleyball season?
A: I think, just the entire state tournament; we really bonded as a team, and that volleyball team is something I'll cherish forever. With all the freshmen on it, we just made really good friends with all them. And they came in and worked hard. So, it was a lot of fun.
Q: What about track season? Was there a highlight or top moment from the track season this past spring?
A: I kind of did track just to do it. But I made it to state in high jump, which was probably my best part of the season. It was cool.
KERSEY, CO - JUNE 15:Platte Valley's Cora Schissler stands for a portrait in the gym at Platte Valley High School in Kersey June 15, 2022. Schissler is the Greeley Tribune's Girls Athlete of the Year for 2022. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
Q: How old were you when you first started playing sports?
A: I've been playing for as long as I can remember.
Q: Do you remember what it was about athletics that attracted you, initially?
A: Our parents put us in rec sports ever since we were young, and we loved it. And then we played with the Buntings, too, ever since we were little — and Cassie (Ridings, another teammate). So, just having them there helped a lot.
Q: Is it pretty safe to say, then and now, your favorite sport has always been basketball?
KERSEY, CO - JUNE 15:Platte Valley's Cora Schissler blocks for a portrait in the gym at Platte Valley High School in Kersey June 15, 2022. Schissler is the Greeley Tribune's Girls Athlete of the Year for 2022. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
A: In middle school, it was basketball and volleyball, I couldn't really decide. And then, as I got in high school, it was definitely basketball. Then my senior year, I actually got to play libero in volleyball instead of setting. So, I was torn between the two sports. For college, where I was going to go and what I was going to play was a hard decision, but ultimately I decided basketball.
Q: What is it about the two sports — volleyball and basketball — that particularly attracts you?
A: I think this year for volleyball, it was the team. I just really enjoyed everybody on the team and it was a lot of fun. So, I think that made it better. And then for basketball, I've just always loved it.
Q: How much are you going to miss putting on those Platte Valley colors?
A: Oh, I'll definitely miss it.
KERSEY, CO - JUNE 15:Platte Valley's Cora Schissler stands for a portrait in the gym at Platte Valley High School in Kersey June 15, 2022. Schissler is the Greeley Tribune's Girls Athlete of the Year for 2022. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
Q: At the same time, how excited are you for that next chapter, going to CSU Pueblo to play women's basketball and study elementary education?
A: I'm excited. It will be different. But, I think it'll be good. I'll just have fun, and I'm really looking forward to being a teacher.
Getting to know Cora Schissler
- Favorite color: Blue
- Favorite food: Pasta
- Favorite movie or television show: Outer Banks, or Stranger Things
- Favorite school subject: Physical education
- Dream job: Elementary school teacher
- One person to spend a day with: Any NBA or WNBA player
Bobby Fernandez covers high school sports for the Greeley Tribune. Reach him at (970) 392-4478, by email at bfernandez@greeleytribune.com or on Twitter @BobbyDFernandez.
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