North Canton Middle School [NCMS] has the opportunity to send one eighth grade basketball player, Frankie Hutzler [right], to this year’s national summer basketball tournament held in Africa. From Hoover ball to an Amateur Athletic Union [AAU] team, this middle schooler proves herself to not only be a valuable team player in our community, but also in the nation.
After being watched throughout the year with her AAU team, Frankie found out through a letter in the mail that she got selected out of many eighth graders to play in Africa this summer.
“Words can’t explain how thrilled and excited I was for this opportunity,” Hutzler said.
Playing with more than one team at once, a player is always looking for new ways to elevate their game. Hutzler’s NCMS coach, Natalie November, sees that “she plays at a highly competitive level and demonstrates a strong work ethic.”
“She approaches her AAU experience with great seriousness, using it as a valuable opportunity to develop her skills further,” she said. “Frankie also participates in individual skill sessions with trainers and consistently puts in extra work, whether it’s staying after practice to shoot or using her days off to get in additional gym time.”
With how much effort and dedication it takes to prove you can belong on a national team, Hutzler believes that the reason she got selected for the team is because they have seen her at many tournaments and that “seeing [her] play a lot over the AAU season really helped [her] the most.”
“I was chosen not just for basketball but also my academics and leadership on and off the court,” she said.
Not only does Hutzler believe she got selected for the national team based on her leadership, but so does November.
“She consistently demonstrated focus and dedication, both in practices and during games,” she said. “Frankie leads by example, always seeking ways to elevate her team’s performance.”
November also believes that another reason she got selected for the national team was because of her “unwavering passion for self improvement.”
“She consistently puts in extra work outside of regular practices, often going to the gym to work on her shooting after practices or attending skills sessions with trainers,” she said. “Her dedication to continuous growth sets her apart and is a testament to her commitment to reaching the highest level of performance.”
Hutzler continues to prove herself over and over that she has what it takes to be amazing at what she does by putting in the work. She works with her AAU coach, Mr. Greg Whitmer, who she believes has made her “such a better player.”
“[Whitmer] has helped me so much with the game, especially mentally,” she said. “He has taught me so many different skills and game situation stuff that has helped me so much become the player I am today.”
Having and keeping a positive mentality is so important when it comes to sports in both making sure you’re in the right headspace when competing and also when executing everything you need to.
By playing on more than one team, Hutzler especially needs to remember that “each athlete has their own approach to game-day preparations” and with November as a coach, she believes that it’s her job to “support them through the mental challenges that can arise, especially in high-pressure situations.”
“Frankie is no exception,” she said. “She can be particularly hard on herself when things aren’t going as planned. However, an essential part of athletic development is learning to navigate those mental hurdles and continue performing at your highest potential.”
As Hutzler is still in school and plays a sport, she’s considered a student athlete. This already can make one’s day-to-day schedule challenging because you have to learn how to juggle school work with sports practices and games. She puts school first and always makes sure she’s doing well with all of her classes and grades.
“I usually try to get my work done ahead of time so it’s less stressful with practice for school ball everyday,” she said. “With all the practices, school and other activities I balance my time well.”
When feeling stressed or overwhelmed, student athletes need to find things that keep them motivated throughout the season.
“I stay motivated and focus when things get tough by moving on to the next play,” Hutzler said. “I leave that play in the past and try to do better the next.”
With November only working with Hutzler this year, she believes it was “a year filled with both growth and challenges.”
“One recurring challenge for Frankie was being mentally hard on herself when the game didn’t unfold the way she had hoped,” she said. “This is a common hurdle for many young athletes, as learning to manage the mental side of the game is just as important as developing physical skills.”
November states that “the drive to work hard and stay committed ultimately comes from a genuine love for the game.”
“When athletes truly enjoy the process — embracing the preparation, the challenges, and the daily grind — it fuels their motivation to compete at the highest level,” she said. “Passion is the foundation for sustained effort, and it’s this passion that allows athletes to fully commit to the journey required for long-term success.”
Although Hutzler doesn’t know where her future will lead her, she has found success in the moment when she sees the outcome of her dedication.
“The moment I realized my hard work has paid off was a moment I will never forget,” she said. “I was so proud of myself for what I have accomplished over all the years I have played basketball.”
One thing that encouraged her to work harder and harder towards what she wants and what Hutzler believes to be a reason for her success is her teammates.
“Both teammates for two different teams, my AAU and my school team have always been uplifting and cheering me on,” she said. “They have always supported me through my off games and my good games.”
As she is getting ready for this summer to compete in Africa, she is very honored to be selected for the team and is looking forward to a “once in a lifetime experience.” With being selected for an honor such as a national sports team, everyone needs a role model to inspire them. One of Hutzler’s biggest role models is her dad.
“He has always encouraged me to work at the game and get better,” she said. “He has always helped me with basketball while he challenges me and pushes me.”
Role models don’t need to be restricted to just family, but rather to anyone that makes them feel themselves. As a role model to her players, November strives to help her players “grow in their basketball knowledge and skill.”
“I place equal importance on developing their character and ensuring they grow into respectful, responsible individuals,” she said. “Being a positive influence in their lives and helping them mature into strong young adults is, without a doubt, the most fulfilling part of this journey.”
Just as November wants to be a positive influence in her players’ lives, she has done just that with Hutzler and although she will miss working with her, she is “confident that she has an exciting path ahead.”
“Seeing Frankie reach such an impressive milestone at a young age fills me with pride for her and is a testament to the consistent hard work she puts into her game,” November said. “She should be incredibly proud of this accomplishment, as it reflects both her dedication and her passion for the game. I have no doubt that this is just the beginning, and that many more exciting opportunities lie ahead in her future.”
