Kevin Ma, Kevin Lee claim Suffolk first doubles boys badminton title for Commack
Commack’s Kevin Ma and Kevin Lee compete during the Suffolk boys badminton team championship against Half Hollow Hills on Monday at Smithtown East. Credit: Bob Sorensen
What’s better than winning a county championship? Doing it with the people who started with you.
For Commack seniors and first doubles partners Kevin Ma and Kevin Lee, the 6-3 victory over No. 2 Half Hollow Hills in the Suffolk County boys badminton team championship was even sweeter because they accomplished it together.
“A lot of us have been on the team for four years together,” Ma said. “We all joined at the same time, and we’ve all been working for this. Each year we’ve gotten closer and closer and it feels like a dream come true to get it our final year.”
“To see them grow and get the opportunity to win a championship, it’s incredible,” coach Jesus Valdes said.
Last season, Commack fell to Half Hollow Hills in the county championship. “We were in the same situation last year,” Valdes said. “There was definitely that mindset of getting redemption this time.”
Lee and Ma defeated Hills’ Niyanth Ponnusamy and Justin Roberts, 21-14, 21-18, at first doubles.
“We were both so nervous coming into today,” Lee said. “But the second we stepped on the court the nerves went away. I couldn’t ask for a better partner.”
Freshman Jake Lee took the win at second singles. After falling 14-21 in the first set, he came back to defeat Brian Yun 21-15, 21-15 in the next two sets.
Brandon Yoo won at third singles, Carlos Karaptian won at fourth singles and Danny Fang won at fifth singles. Sean Levy and Atharva Pillai won fourth singles after an exciting 23-21 third set.
Rajveer Gujral of Half Hollow Hills defeated Dean Fang, 21-15, 21-11, at first singles
“I’m so proud of the whole team,” Ma said. “Seeing everyone get a little better as the season went on and watching different people step up has been amazing.”
They will play the two-time defending champions Jericho in the Long Island team Championship on Wednesday at Smithtown East High School.
“It’s going to be tough,” Ma said. “But we’re going to go and have fun and feel really proud of how far we’ve come.”