Badminton blooms at Long Beach

The sport of badminton is quickly gaining popularity across Nassau County, and Long Beach is a perfect example.

The Marines joined the boys’ circuit this fall, upping  the number of teams in the county to eight, and are holding their own with a young roster that goes 19-deep. Long Beach begins a girls’ program in the spring.

“I was impressed by the interest because we didn’t get confirmation the team was official until the last week of June,” coach Andrew Rossi said. “The kids have worked hard and I’m happy with our record. It’s a good starting point and the potential is great.”

Long Beach won five of its first 12 matches, including back-to-back 4-3 victories over Calhoun and Kennedy on Oct. 15-16, respectively. “The biggest misconception about badminton at this level is that it’s similar to gym class,” Rossi explained. “It’s different. It takes a lot of stamina, skill and reflex to be successful.”

With only 11 days between the first practice and season-opening match on Sept. 22, Rossi relied on a round-robin tournament to determine the team’s starting lineup. Senior Zach Verch, freshman Justin Charschan and sophomore Andrew Schnier earned the three singles spots.

Verch, the coach noted, has fast reflexes that come in handy considering he’s always up against the best player on the opposing team. “He’s been up against experienced kids capable of placing the shuttle anywhere on the court,” Rossi said of Verch, who has three wins to his credit including a clutch victory against Calhoun. “His record doesn’t represent his talent level. He’s improved quite a bit along the way.”

Charschan and Schnier brought some of their tennis skills to the floor. “I was impressed they made the top three,” Rossi said.

In doubles, the Marines are led by their top tandem of senior Alsodee Reyes and junior Zak Seghrouchni. With a record of 8-4, they’ve already qualified for the county tournament this Saturday at Great Neck South at 2 p.m. “Alsodee’s a powerful player and Zak has a strong finesse game,” Rossi said. “They communicate well and that’s important in doubles.”

Freshmen Brandon Levokove and Russell Goetz comprise the second doubles team, sophomores Matt Rizzo and Devon Ricciardi are 6-6 at third doubles, and sophomore Tom Hamlet and freshman David Velez are 6-6 at fourth doubles. In last Friday’s win over Kennedy, the doubles swept and Hamlet and Velez took a three-set battle to provide the difference in the match. Of Long Beach’s eight alternates, freshman Jordan Bochner has seen the most action. He has subbed in singles and doubles along the way. Also contributing is David Fuchs, Alex Passaro, Bryan Heran, Skylar Kahan, Franklin Galeas-Mejia, Trevor Rowett and Lorenzo De Vera.

“Everyone gets to play every day,” Rossi said. “Having badminton teams is great for the school.”