Pistora ultimately would develop into Tonganoxie’s main distributor, the biggest asset in an all-around game that led to her being named the All-Area Girls Basketball Player of the Year for the second consecutive year.

Although Tonganoxie girls basketball coach Randy Kraft encouraged his pass-first guard to score more, Pistora possesses myriad skills. She can shoot, control the boards and defend the passing lanes, with the latter attribute evidenced by her team lead in steals.

Perhaps most impressively, Pistora had a knack for snatching a rebound and then launching an accurate cross-court pass to feed a teammate for an easy layup.

The Chieftains’ point guard, who began playing recreation-league basketball during the second grade, used her 6-foot frame to not only secure those rebounds, but also see over defenders.

As one of four seniors on a 23-3 team that finished fourth at this year’s Class 4A state tournament, Pistora provided instruction in team huddles and encouragement in the locker room.

Pistora’s days of leading a basketball team, however, have ended. She has not decided which college to attend, but is considering Kansas University, Kansas State University and a few out-of-state schools. Instead of playing college basketball, she will focus on rehabilitating other aspiring athletes.

After hanging up the basketball jersey, Pistora will miss the atmosphere of Tonganoxie’s gym. She labeled the raucous environment during this winter’s sub-state final win against Basehor-Linwood her favorite basketball moment of the year.

Pistora has one more athletic season — she will compete in the high jump and javelin this spring for the Tonganoxie track and field team. But as far as basketball goes, she will cherish her accomplishments while returning to the roots of her basketball development.

"I actually just got in touch with my best friend from high school that I hadn’t heard from in about four years. There’s probably only about four people total that I still see."

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