Despite tough competition, varsity badminton thrived during its postseason run, with multiple players qualifying for the Central Coast Section (CCS) championships and one advancing to the next stage: the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) playoffs. Playing in a lower division this year, the Panthers cruised through the regular season with minimal competition. In the Peninsula Athletic League (PAL) playoffs and CCS, however, each player competed for their individual ranking against strong teams from across the Bay Area.
“It’s tough, because CCS is a combination of all the schools… and then some schools are training a lot, they’re training outside. Instead of waiting for the season to start, they start training,” head coach Salvador Banquiles said.
In high school badminton, the regular season is defined by overall team rankings, whereas players compete for individual rankings in the postseason. PAL is the first stage of the playoffs, before high-performing players move on to CCS, and then potentially the CIF tournament.
The Panthers sent seven athletes to CCS this year, including freshman Alvin Feng Heng Ho, who eventually became the first player in the school’s history to qualify for the CIF playoffs.
“It’s really impressive. Super, because this is the first time [a] person made it [to] the states championship,” Banquiles said.
At CCS, Feng Heng Ho demonstrated exceptional skills under pressure, especially during a pivotal game that would secure his spot for CIF.
“In my last game for seventh place, since only the top seven got in, I was in my final game and down 19-15, and I clutched up 22-20,” Feng Heng Ho said.
Understanding the high level of competition he will face in the CIF tournament, Feng Heng Ho said he wants to remain composed throughout his matches.
“I don’t really have any goals. I just want to try my best because all the players are really good,” Feng Heng Ho said.
Although only Feng Heng Ho advanced to CIF, several other players delivered strong performances to qualify for CCS. The No. 1 doubles pair, sophomores Kingsley Kong and Brandon Lin, dominated the PAL playoffs, despite ultimately falling short at CCS.
“I played my hardest, and even knowing that there’s tough opponents, I still play knowing that there is still a chance of winning,” Kong said.
Despite the Panthers’ dominant season this year, next year may bring a greater challenge, as they are being promoted to the PAL Bay Division. While badminton defeated several of their future Bay opponents in scrimmages this year, the competition will be significantly stronger, according to Banquiles.
“It is difficult in Bay because there are a lot of good players over there who train outside after the season,” Banquiles said.
However, with a large number of seniors departing, the team will need to rely on younger players to take on a larger role next season.
“Right now, I have nine seniors who are graduating; they are strong ones. I’m going to build my team again. It depends who’s coming in for the freshman,” Banquiles said.
