When White River Valley High School sophomore Molly Settles crumpled to the floor midway through the third quarter of a basketball game against North Central, she immediately heard a pop in her right knee and felt a sharp wave of pain. Though the moment was brief, the impact would echo far longer than the final buzzer.

Clint Young, PT, DPT, a physical therapist at Daviess Community Hospital's CORE Center, works with Molly Settles, a White River Valley student-athlete, to help her overcome an ACL injury she suffered in December.

“I felt somewhat normal after I left the floor,” Molly recalled. “I even wanted to go back into the game. But we decided to wait and see how it felt later.”

Molly is no stranger to competition or commitment. Her mother, April Settles, is both the chief financial officer at Daviess Community Hospital and the head coach of the White River Valley girls basketball team—the Lady Wolverines. Her father, Matt, also coaches at WRV, and the family’s roots in the school’s athletic programs run deep.

Watching her daughter fall to the floor with pain etched across her face was a moment April said she’ll never forget.

“I knew right away she had torn her ACL,” she said. “As both her mom and coach, that moment cut deep.”

Later came with a reality check no athlete wants to hear: a torn ACL that would sideline Molly for the rest of her sophomore basketball season. It was the first injury that had ever forced her to miss a game—let alone one that would require surgery and months of intensive rehabilitation.

“It was incredibly difficult to hear and process,” Molly said. “I felt very scared about the journey to come.”

But that journey would turn out to be one of grit, grace and growth.

A Team Behind the Team

Molly’s surgery took place on Dec. 27. While it went well, April described the weeks that followed as some of the hardest they’ve ever faced.

“I would’ve done anything to switch places with her,” she said. “We knew the road ahead would be long. But with everyone’s prayers, we were ready for the challenge.”

Shortly after surgery, Molly began rehabilitation at Daviess Community Hospital’s CORE Center in Washington. Her orthopedic surgeon had strongly recommended physical therapist Clint Young, PT, DPT —a therapist with more than 24 years of experience.

“Clint came highly recommended,” April said. “He’s an amazing therapist who delivers exceptional care, communicates regularly with Molly’s full care team and tailors every session to her individual needs. We’re so grateful for his skill and his heart.”

Clint began working with Molly on Jan. 2 and guided her through neuromuscular re-education, manual therapy, gait training, proprioceptive work and therapeutic exercise.

“When Molly came in, our priority was regaining her range of motion and neuromuscular control,” Clint said. “Her work ethic made my job easier—she came in determined and focused every single session.”

That determination paid off. Molly ditched her crutches early and consistently exceeded expectations from her surgeon’s team.

From the Sidelines

Still, the road wasn’t always easy—especially mentally. Molly, who had never missed a game before, said hearing she’d miss the rest of her season was devastating.

“I was scared,” she said. “I didn’t know if I’d ever feel like myself again.”

Molly went from starting games to sitting behind the bench to protect her healing knee from accidental contact. She cheered from the sidelines as her team defeated No. 1-ranked Orleans in a thrilling home win and watched helplessly as the Lady Wolverines lost a heartbreaking overtime game in the sectional.

“It’s easy to take for granted the ability to play a sport—until you no longer can,” she said.

Her family and teammates—whom April calls her “sisterhood”—rallied around her, ensuring she never felt left behind.

“Watching your child sit on the sidelines with an injury is incredibly emotional,” April said. “But Molly’s support system—her family, teammates, coaches and friends—made sure she never felt forgotten.”

Even while sidelined, Molly stayed connected to her team—leading them in prayer before every game.

A Champion’s Mental and Physical Game

Throughout her journey, Molly leaned on her faith, her family and the CORE team.

“Early on, I really struggled with the motivation to push through the pain,” she said. “But I’m blessed to be surrounded by the best support system. They kept my spirits high, and I leaned on my faith in Jesus. I reminded myself that He has a greater purpose and is with me every step of the way.”

That mindset helped Molly transform her perspective.

“I started to see this injury not as the end, but as part of my journey,” she said. “I learned to celebrate the small wins—getting off crutches, hitting 90 degrees of flexion, leading my team in prayer. It all mattered.”

Clint recognized that drive immediately.

“She showed up, worked hard and trusted the process,” he said.

That process wasn’t easy. Molly faced pain, frustration and moments of doubt.

“There were times I felt stuck, like my knee would never be the same,” she said. “But Clint always reminded me to ‘take the win’ and keep going.”

Molly said the environment at CORE supported her in every way—physically and emotionally.

“It wasn’t just about exercises,” she said. “They cared about my mental health too. They believed in me.”

April agreed.

“Clint stayed in constant communication with Molly’s surgical team, and he tailored her therapy around her needs and her goals,” she said. “He knew how important getting back to basketball and soccer was for her.”

The CORE team also welcomed Molly’s entire family—parents, grandparents and younger sister Maddy—into the therapy process.

“They empowered us to support her at home,” April said. “That made all the difference.”

“At CORE, we don’t just treat the body,” Clint added. “We build relationships, encourage the spirit and remind patients of the goals they’re working toward.”

April compared the journey to another challenge Molly once faced. As an 8-year-old, Molly dreamed of winning the Elks State Hoop Shoot free throw contest. For years, she fell short. In her final year of eligibility, she not only advanced to state—she won it, defeating the reigning national champion.

“She had put in hours and hours of hard work,” April said. “Seeing that dream come to life was emotional. This journey feels the same—every session with Clint is a step toward that next dream: being back on the court and helping her team win sectional.”

Looking Ahead

Molly is expected to complete her therapy in late April. Afterward, she plans to continue strength and agility training until she is cleared for full-contact play. She hopes to return for AAU basketball in July and begin soccer practices in August.

“I’ve learned to trust the process,” she said. “Some days are hard, but every small win adds up.”

Molly said the experience taught her to listen to her body, manage her time, prioritize her mental health and deepen her commitment to her future goal of becoming a pediatrician.

“My knee rehabilitation journey has absolutely influenced my passion for medicine. I’m blessed to have been surrounded by so many amazing physicians and healthcare workers throughout this process. They inspire me to work hard and chase my dreams, so I may too one day make a difference in the lives of children,” she said.

For Clint, seeing her reach the final stretch of recovery is a powerful reminder of why he chose his profession.

“This is what I love most about my job,” he said. “Seeing her return to the sport she loves—that’s everything.”

The Settles family reflects on the journey with one word: gratitude.

“We’ve had moments of heartbreak and moments of triumph,” April said. “But we’ve never walked alone. From the providers at CORE to the support of our community, we’ve seen God’s hand at work.”

As Molly looks to the future, she draws strength from her past.

“This injury is just one chapter,” she said. “It’s made me stronger. I trust God’s plan, and I know the best is yet to come.”

About Daviess Community Hospital

Daviess Community Hospital (DCH) stands as a beacon of health and wellness in southwestern Indiana. Serving the region with one 48-bed hospital, seven specialty clinics, and eight outpatient clinics, DCH is dedicated to providing top-tier medical care. Nestled in Washington, Indiana, this not-for-profit health system is one of the area’s largest private employers, boasting a team of over 620 passionate professionals. DCH is unwavering in its mission to improving the health of the people of the communities it serves not only by delivering excellent medical care, but also ensuring accessibility, promoting healthy living, and collaborating with local agencies to address community health needs. As an affiliate of Ascension St. Vincent, DCH is committed to being the healthcare provider of choice, continuously striving for excellence and innovation. Discover more about DCH’s services and commitment to health at dchosp.org.