Margit Crittenberger and Zora Burrell were in an unwanted place and situation during the Potomac School Panthers’ most recent girls basketball game.
The senior teammates, three-sport athletes and top players for the private high-school wintertime hoop team, were sitting side-by-side on the bench against the host Flint Hill Huskies in that Jan. 25 game, unable to play because of lower-leg injuries.
Potomac School won emerged victorious despite the absences, winning, 73-53. The Panthers began the week with a 12-7 overall record and were ranked fifth in the Division I state poll.
When healthy, each are valuable contributors. Burrell is a starting guard/forward and Crittenberger is a starter or sometimes “sixth man” who provides needed defense and physicality for the state-ranked squad.
Crittenberger is now working out with the team in practice, but has not played yet this season. She suffered an ankle injury during preseason of this past fall’s soccer campaign. Her return for the basketball team is still uncertain.
Burrell was injured during a Jan. 21 contest and is expected to return in coming days. She is a team leader in many statistics, like rebounds, steals and assists, and averages nine points per game.
Potomac School has won a couple of games without Burrell. However, the Panthers have some key Independent School League contests ahead against top AA Division teams like Sidwell Friends, Georgetown Visitation and Maret.
Then postseason conference and state-tournaments follow.
In addition to basketball, Crittenberger and Burrell also are key players in different sports during the spring outdoor season for Potomac School. Crittenberger plays lacrosse and Burrell softball.
Crittenberger will play lacrosse in college at Division I Davidson College. Burrell will play Division III college basketball at the University of Chicago.
First, they hope to finish their high-school basketball careers in a healthy manner for Potomac School.
