The562’s coverage of Cabrillo Athletics is sponsored by the Cohn Family.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
The562’s coverage of Millikan athletics in the 2023-24 school year is sponsored by Curtis Boyer.
The562’s coverage of Lakewood Athletics is sponsored by J.P. Crawford, Class of 2013.
The562’s coverage of Jordan Athletics is sponsored by former LBUSD superintendent Chris Steinhauser.
This Long Beach badminton recap is compiled from submissions.
Cabrillo vs. Poly
Anyone who enjoys high school sports at its most exciting, raw, and intense should have been at Cabrillo’s gym on Tuesday night.
In a four hour battle of the Moore League’s two remaining undefeated badminton teams that came down to the 21st and final game, Cabrillo emerged victorious 11-10.
The Jaguars struck first by winning two of the first three Mixed Doubles matches. This was quickly followed by Cabrillo victories in a couple of Boys’ Singles matches by Brian Habacon and Justine Yambao and by another win in one of the first two Boys’ Doubles games. Cabrillo pulled out to a 5-2 lead at that point.
Poly begin to crawl back into contention with a fine Boys’ Doubles win by Bob Lim and Leo Torres Orozco and two quick victories by Girls’ Singles players Nga Pham and Soki Phay. Pham’s first win was aided by an injury forfeit by Cabrillo’s number one player Jasmin Ramos. Cabrillo’s advantage had been reduced to 6-4.
On the strength of Poly’s girls, who won six of their eight events, the Jackrabbits took the lead. Poly’s number one Girls’ Doubles pair of Alana Leuth and Cassandra Hervas, fresh off a win in the Mira Costa tournament Saturday, were particularly impressive, sweeping their matches. With four contests to go Poly held a 10-7 advantage.
At that point, a single Jackrabbit win would have sealed the outcome, but Cabrillo roared back into contention. Ramos, shaking off an injury, won a hard-fought match against Phay, while Cabrillo’s leading Girls’ Doubles pair of Jaylene Ramirez and Maria Buenviage dispatched Poly’s number two pair.
At the start of the second round of Mixed Doubles, the final two contests of the night, Cabrillo needed a sweep but the Jackrabbits just one win. The Jaguars did exactly that in front of a noisy crowd of supporters of both teams.
Habacon was the evening’s hero for Cabrillo, sweeping his singles matches and pairing with Ramos to win both of his Mixed Doubles games. Joaquin Orozco played a key role as well, winning both of his doubles games with Aiden Reyes and repeating that feat in Mixed Doubles with Jaylene Ramirez Diaz.
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Wilson vs. Millikan
Wilson defeated a much improved Millikan team at the Bruins’ home gym Tuesday 12-9.
As has become the custom this season, Wilson’s Abhishek Jain starred for the Bruins, winning both his Mixed Doubles games and crushing his opponents in Boys’ Singles. The senior and defending Moore League Singles’ champion not only held his opponents to single digits each time, but surrendered only 10 points in total over the course of four games.
The most intense matches of the evening came in the Girls’ Doubles competition. Wilson’s Denise Abon and Valerie Espinoza weathered a strong challenge from the Millikan pair of Zoe Huynh and Kaitlyn Khamkhensouvann 23-21 and 21-16. The Bruins other girls’ pair of Susi Martinez and Stephanie Alvarado squeaked past Huynh and Leolina Moreno 16-21, 21-11, 21-19.
Wilson’s coach Adrian Martinez was deeply impressed by the Rams effort.
“Millikan is becoming a major competitor in our league,” Martinez said. “I’m excited to see how they will grow in the coming years.”
Wilson hosts Jordan next on March 14, while Millikan travels to Lakewood next Tuesday, March 19.
Lakewood vs. Jordan
Lakewood, currently the Moore League’s #3 team, overwhelmed visiting Jordan on Tuesday, 20-1.
The Lancers Boys’ Doubles pair of Richie Chhit and Jacob Vong continued their undeated ways while their Singles’ counterpart, Nato Sarin, made quick work of his Panther opponents, winning both of his contests in two sets. Chhit and Vong are undefeated in league play thus far. Lakewood’s number two pair of Andrew Heang and Anthony Heang extended their league record to 4-2.
Jordan’s bright spot was Boys’ Singles player Chanvatana Puthy. Puthy put the Panthers in the win column with a victory over Lakewood’s #2, Angel Bracamontes, in a three game come-from-behind thriller, 20-22, 21-20, 21-15.
Lakewood’s three mixed pairs enjoyed something of a redemption after being swept by Poly last week.
“They bounced back after a tough outing,” said John Henderson, first-year Lancers’ coach.
Lakewood plays at Cabrillo March 14, while Jordan travels to Wilson the same day.
