For Frank Cutler, it’s all about the players. 

In Platte-Geddes’ 65-41 win over Miller on Feb. 5, the long-time boys basketball coach captured his 500th career win. Cutler’s record is now 500-235 in more than 30 seasons coaching the Black Panthers. 

Cutler, 61, knew the milestone was inching closer this season and was reminded of it leading into the Miller contest. But he was more worried about the task at hand and putting the Black Panthers into position for a win. 

“It’s still about the kids and trying to help them get better,” Cutler said. “It just happened to be a milestone game for me personally along the way.”

The achievement, Cutler said, is credited to the players, the longevity and consistency of the program. 

“I have been able to coach a lot of really good kids and I have been able to do it for quite a while,” Cutler added. “That’s what happens when you get to these milestones.”

Platte-Geddes coach Frank Cutler watches the action against Colome earlier this season. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

He’s one of nine coaches in South Dakota boys basketball history to win 500 or more games. Larry Luitjens is the all-time leader with 748 wins, while Gary Munsen, Burnell Glanzer, Gayle Hoover, Paul Raasch, Mike Tuschen, Jim Schlekeway and Doug Groth all won 500 or more games. 

Cutler, who has coached against some of the other 500-win members, appreciated the magnitude of joining an exclusive club of coaches. 

“It is neat to be mentioned along with them and I know part of that comes with longevity,” Cutler said. “If you can stay in it long enough, you can get enough wins and again it comes back to the kids. You’ve got to have good players and we’ve been fortunate enough to be consistent enough and have enough good players to get to this point.”

Cutler has gotten to this point at one location, too. A Langford High School and South Dakota State University graduate, Cutler took the Platte boys basketball position in the 1989-90 season. 

He’s been racking up wins and state tournament appearances ever since. Under Cutler’s tutelage, the Black Panthers have qualified for 13 state tournaments and claimed the 2008 Class A state championship.

Cutler praised the Platte and Geddes communities — they became a co-op in 2007-08 — for their support and is proud of achieving the victories with one program. 

“I think it’s pretty neat that we’ve been consistent and been here just at this one location,” Cutler said. “It’s been neat the community has supported us and accepted us and kept getting us a lot of good kids to coach and be successful with.”

It’s continued this season. The Black Panthers, who are receiving votes in the latest Class B poll, are 11-3 and Cutler’s milestone win is another feather in their cap. On Feb. 3, senior and all-state forward Caden Foxley scored his 1,000th career point.