As Circleville’s Addison Edgington recovers from several major injuries sustained in a car accident in January, she continues to amaze those around her.
She hopes to eventually return to the basketball court, where she excelled as a freshman.
“I am determined,” she said. “I’m determined because my sports are basically my life, and I don’t take them for granted. I’m hard-driven and just love being out there making new friends.”
Edgington played a key role in helping Circleville get off to a strong start last season before she was ejected from a car during a single-vehicle accident on Jan. 26.
The car's two other occupants – the driver and another passenger – were unhurt. Edgington's injuries, meanwhile, included four fractured vertebrae, three breaks in her jawbone and a dissected carotid artery in her neck.
She went home from the hospital Feb. 12 and finished the school year by taking online classes, maintaining her honor roll status while continuing physical therapy.
Although limited, Edgington has been a part of the basketball program’s offseason conditioning program, with an emphasis on the weight room.
She’s been unable to compete in the team’s summer basketball league but attends games to provide support.
“I’ve been able to go to open gyms,” Edgington said. “I just shoot around, and I watch them do drills. I still can’t run and jump now, but my goal is to get back to running and jumping in six weeks.”
Edgington has impressed coach Brian Bigam, who calls his 6-foot-2 center an inspiration.
“Addison’s desire to return to sports is special,” said Bigam, who was The Dispatch's Coach of the Year in girls basketball . “She’s in the weight room daily with her teammates doing her workout. She’s also in the gym getting some shots up. Her drive to get herself back on the court is truly unbelievable and inspirational for anyone to watch. She is our superhero.”
She had her neck brace removed April 30 and back brace June 25.
“She’s making wonderful progress,” Megan Edgington, Addison's mother, said. “I’m amazed because of what I’ve seen from the beginning to what I see now and what she has struggled with and all the injuries. It’s pretty amazing.”
Prior to the accident, Addison Edgington had averaged 17.3 points a game in 15 games . Circleville was undefeated in those games and 10-0 in MSL-Buckeye play.
The Tigers finished 24-1 after a 50-30 loss to Thornville Sheridan in a Division II Southeast District final .
Edgington was able to attend the district final and admits it was difficult watching her teammates compete in their final game of the season.
“It was hard,” Edgington said. “I think it would have been a little different if I was out there but I’m still proud of them.”
Doctors have prohibited Edgington from playing volleyball this fall. She had been a contributor at middle hitter.
“We haven’t asked the question yet about basketball in the winter, but I’m very hopeful and I’m thinking that we are working really hard for it,” Megan Edgington said. “There’s probably a good chance that she’ll back on the court for basketball season.”
“As fast as I’m moving and if I keep working hard, I should be in good shape,” Addison Edgington added.
Her long-range goal remains to play collegiately, and she has received invitations following the accident to attend college camps.
fdirenna@dispatch.com
@DispatchFrank
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Standout Circleville basketball player eyes return to court months after car accident
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