2019 HOLIDAY FUN BOWL BADMINTON TOURNAMENT and HIGH SCHOOL BOYS STATE BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIPS

Sahuaro Tucson-back row: Ian Kron, Marcos Berrellez, Logan Martin, Michael Stewart; and Basis in the front: Michael Liang, Luke Wang, Steven Zhang, Samuel Rivas (not pictured)

Nov 23, Mesa... The 8th annual HOLIDAY FUN BOWL and HIGH SCHOOL BOYS STATE BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIPS took place at the AZBC on Sat, Nov 23.

There is a move to get the Boys into regular AIA high school badminton competition to join the girls who have been active in Arizona high school badminton since the 1950s-- and for good reason! There are now more sports opportunities for girls in high school, so the old Title 9 rule can now be used in reverse. Not only that, but the boys definitely add energy and enthusiasm to the competitive arena that everyone enjoys.

Congratulations BASIS HIGH for earning the HS BOYS TITLE this year, with a narrow victory over 2-time champion Sahuaro Tucson, 39-32 in team points, led by Michael Liang as the Boys Singles and Doubles Champion with Luke Wang. Steven Zhang and Samuel Rivas rounded out the Basis team.

The Holiday Fun Bowl events this year were all women events: Open Doubles, Collegiate Doubles and High School Girls' Doubles highlighted by 2 exhibition matches in a face off of Division 1 vs. Division 2 opponents. Division 2 state champion Jordan Ludwig of Washington High School edged Division 1 state #2 player Eileen Li of Corona del Sol in 3 games, while the Division 1 state #4 doubles team of Pearson and Tucay (Mt. Ridge) beat Division 2 state #4 Maya Gibbs teamed with #3 state singles Payton Foti of Mesquite in 2 close games.

In other action, the Open Women Doubles winners were Alexis and Jordyn Mee, the Collegiate Women Doubles winners were Gabby Nakada and Jessica Jung of ASU, the High School Girls Doubles winners were Jordyn Mee and Katie Pryor of Basha.