Hannah Hutchins isn't easily discouraged.

As the fourth oldest of Richard and Kelly Hutchins' 10 children, she's learned how to compete for everything.

Especially on the basketball court.

Her family games in the driveway of their Ledyard home are legendary.

"Basketball is No. 1," Hutchins said. "It's definitely something that we were brought up with. ... When everyone is together, we make it a priority to play some ball together. It starts out as a friendly game but then it gets a little bit more intense."

A 6-foot-4 sophomore center at Utah State, Hutchins is happy to be playing again after enduring a frustrating stretch that saw her miss a good chunk of the preseason and the first nine games.

Expected to fill a vital role in a thin frontcourt, Hutchins tore ligaments in her ankle in mid-August. Then she tore them again shortly before the regular-season opener despite the fact that she was wearing an ankle brace specifically designed to prevent her injury.

"I was super-frustrated," Hutchins said during a phone conversation Monday. "It wasn't fun watching."

Since returning to action just before Christmas, Hutchins is making up for lost time. She's gained a foothold in Utah State's regular rotation, starting the last 11 games. She's the team's leading rebounder, averaging 5.9 in just 17.9 minutes per game. She's scored in double figures in four of the last nine games, raising her overall average to 6.5 points per game.

"It's something that happens," Hutchins said of the injury. "I got over it and now I'm back and I just want to take advantage of my ability to be able to play."

The fact that she's playing Division I college basketball is a testament to her hard work, determination and the value of a strong support system that includes her father, a former player at Princeton and biggest fan.

Hutchins failed to make her middle school basketball team in eighth grade. It took until her junior year at Ledyard to become a full-time member of the high school varsity team. She also played volleyball for the Colonels.

Playing at Utah State, or any Division I program, didn't seem like a possibility at the time.

"I definitely think I wasn't super confident that I would be able to play at this level," she said. "It's something that I was working toward. When I finally made it to varsity my junior year, I was doing pretty well."

Two years playing for the Connecticut Storm AAU program helped raise her level of play and gave her a shot of confidence. Her father continued to encourage her, too.

Hutchins considered attending Brigham Young, where three of her siblings go, but instead decided to check out Utah State. Her father sent a video of Hutchins' highlights to the coaching staff and they were impressed enough to offer a spot on the team.

In just her 11th game as a freshman, she scored a career-high 25 points and added five rebounds against Sacramento State. Overall, she appeared in 29 games, starting 12, and averaged 5.4 points and 2.9 rebounds.

Her game has continued to evolve during her sophomore season. For the first time in her career, she recorded a double-double in consecutive games last month, going for 12 points and a career-high 11 rebounds against San Diego State and a season-best 21 points and 10 rebounds against Nevada.

Her most valuable contribution has come on the boards, where Utah State desperately needed help.

"I knew coming in that we need someone to step up and get rebounds," Hutchins said. "But it's not just me. ... We just work together to get it done. It's definitely something that I try to do."

Her ankle still bothers her at times, presenting a physical and mental challenge. A conversation with the team trainer helped ease some of her fears.

But it's hard to ignore.

"It took a while, about three to four weeks since coming back (to feel comfortable)," Hutchins said. "Even sometimes now, my ankle will just feel achy and then I'll get super cautious and I'll not jump as high. I'll go through the process of being aware of my ankle. So it comes and goes."

Four regular-season games remain for Hutchins and Utah State (11-14, 6-8) which is attempting to fight its way up the Mountain West Conference standings. While she hopes to have a healthier junior season, she's focused on finishing her sophomore year strong.

"I'm not really sure how the future is going to go," Hutchins said. "I'm just trying to work on getting my game better today and focus on the next game. I don't try to look too far in advance because it could distract from what's right in front of me, so I try to take it day by day and work hard."

Off the court, she's enjoying life in Logan. Her three siblings are about three hours away and extended family also live nearby. But she could do without the heavy snow.

From afar, she keeps up with her family back home. Her brothers, Kevin and Trevor, play basketball for Ledyard High School.

"It kind of hurts my heart that I can't see them in person but I watch them online when their games are streamed live," Hutchins said. "It's different sometimes not being able to see them every day but I got used to it."

g.keefe@theday.com

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