There is no neutral in Charlotte Hoffman’s world, life is always in fourth gear.
And there is nothing wrong with that.
In September of 2024, Hoffman, a dazzling dynamo of constant motion and all-out effort, was making a hustle play, diving for a loose ball in a 2-versus-2 drill during a practice session for her Nebraska Attack 8th Elite UAA basketball team.
In the flurry of all that is involved in going hard for the ball, another player accidentally landed on Hoffman, resulting in her dislocating her shoulder and tearing its labrum.
“Just a very unlucky situation,” Charlotte’s mother, Mary, said of the incident.
The result was surgery – in October of 2024 – to repair the labrum – followed by rehabilitation with Rock Valley Physical Therapy and the loss of Hoffman’s fall UAA season.
Not good for someone who has passionately played the game since age 4.
“It was really hard to sit out,” Charlotte Hoffman said. “Since I’m in eighth grade, it’s my last fall season with my club team. It was hard to watch from the sidelines knowing I won’t get to play with the same team again. The hardest part has been not exercising. Since before my injury I was either playing, practicing, or lifting (weights) every day. I miss getting in the gym and getting a good workout. It has been like a part of me was taken away since basketball is my life.’’
Despite her struggles, there has been a positive for the gifted, yet humble hoopster. Rock Valley’s Amy Isherwood, PT, DPT, Clinic Manager at Rock Valley’s Gretna, Neb. clinic, is Hoffman’s therapist.
Isherwood, it must be noted, was a Division I standout at Creighton University and understands the many layers of commitment it takes to play basketball at an elite level. More importantly, Isherwood brings tremendous compassion and great knowledge to the rehabilitation table for Hoffman.
All of which are not lost on Charlotte Hoffman, whose club squad is coached by Isherwood’s husband, Zach.
“Amy is such a great physical therapist and just a great person in general to have in my life,” Charlotte Hoffman said of Isherwood. “She always goes out of her way to make me feel special and important during our sessions. She is the most positive and genuine person I have ever met.’’
That positivity, effort and compassion has – and always will be – Isherwood’s approach as a therapist.
A style that – mixed with a determined and gifted athlete – has played a huge role in Hoffman’s rehabilitation process.
“Amy always explains everything I’m supposed to be doing perfectly and makes sure I don’t have any unanswered questions,” Charlotte Hoffman said, noting her ultimate hoops dream is to play college basketball at its highest level. “She keeps our sessions fun by talking to me through it as if I were her friend. It helps a ton knowing she played at a prominent level because I know I can always trust her opinions. She understands what it’s like for me to play at an elevated level, and so she can understand what the best decisions are when it comes to how soon I should start playing again.’’
Isherwood has also won the praises of Charlotte’s mother, Mary.
“Amy helped us think through what the best approach for Charlotte would be, since she is only 13, and has many years ahead of her to continue playing basketball,” Mary Hoffman said. “Prior to surgery, Amy helped Charlotte strengthen the muscles around the labrum to prepare her for surgery. Post surgery, she has been working on progressively building back Charlotte’s range of motion and strength to get her back on the court safely.
“Amy is wonderful to work with and genuinely cares about her patients and takes the time to get to know them on a personal level. With a recovery like Charlotte’s, they spend a lot of time together, and Amy helps make pushing through the pain fun,’’ Mary Hoffman added. “Not only has Amy pushed Charlotte in her physical recovery, but she has been an amazing role model for her. It has been wonderful for Charlotte to have someone she looks up to and respects to talk through not just the physical challenges, but the mental challenges as well.’’
Ever humble, Isherwood is a huge fan of Charlotte and her family and wants nothing, but remarkable things and dreams realized for her.
“We are working hard in the clinic to not only build the strength and stability of her shoulder, but we are incorporating more sport-specific drills so she can return to the court better than before,” Isherwood said. “She has been a great patient. Charlotte is a fantastic kid and a hard worker, whether it is in PT, with school, or sports. Mary has been great too, and I think my relationship with them has helped ease fears throughout the rehab process. There is that trust there and we all have same goal to get Charlotte back to playing the sport she loves.’’
Both Isherwood and Charlotte Hoffman understood early in the process that returning to the court would require time, dedication, effort, and patience.
“We are past the “boring” phase of her rehab, and she is now able to do higher level things in the clinic,” Isherwood said of Charlotte. “We are gradually transitioning her into shooting practice and will soon be able to try more live drills. Her end goal is to be ready for the spring/summer season, so we are being smart about her progressions. Being on the same page about her rehab and end goals has been key to her success. You know, Charlotte has a great personality and is fun to work with, and in typical eighth-grade fashion, may be my best eye-roller yet.’’
By: Johnny Marx, Rock Valley Storyteller