COLORADO SPRINGS — It is a story we have been following on the News5 Sports for the past two years.
Doherty's Schafer Reichart should not be playing his senior season of high school basketball for the Spartans.
Back in 2019, Reichart was clinging to his young life. The then 16-year-old was suffering from Toxic Shock Syndrome, a condition that causes a release of toxins into your body. The syndrome had attacked Reichart's kidneys, heart and lungs. All of this brought on by a combination of Influenza A and strep throat.
Later that year, Schafer returned home from Children's Hospital in Aurora, with one goal in mind: to return to the basketball court.
"Back then, the goal was just to be able to play again," explained the now senior guard, who leads Doherty in points per game. "I did not think I would be in this situation. I am happy that I was able to get back on the court."
This season, the now 18-year-old is back to playing at a high level. So much so he was offered and then committed to play college basketball at Colorado Christian University, a Division II school. A dream he has never given up on.
"Setbacks are apart of life, failure is apart of life," explained Reichart. "If you do not continue in what you are trying to do after that, like what is the point? Because that is what makes it worth it in the end. And when you do have success in it, it makes it the most fun."
It's a story of resilience that has come full circle, but the ending has still yet to be written.
"Being out here with my teammates and coaches, that is the cherry on top for me," Schafer said with a smile. "Like the more games I can play, just keep the season going, that is the cherry."
