Players to Watch

* Alison Brown, Villa Park, singles, Sr.

* Mike Chansawangpuvana, Villa Park, singles, Fr.

* Jon Guerin, Troy, singles, Jr.

* Danette Hall, La Habra, singles, Sr.

* Tung Ho, Bolsa Grande, mixed doubles, Sr.

* Tommy Hoang, Ocean View, singles, Sr.

* Peter Kang, Marina, singles, Sr.

* Nina Kongbandalsuke, Marina, doubles, Jr.

* Michelle Kuo, Cypress, doubles, Sr.

* May Mangkalakiri, Villa Park, doubles, So.

* Amy Nguy, Villa Park, singles, Jr.

* Kelly Nguyen, Bolsa Grande, mixed doubles, Sr.

* Tam Nguyen, Garden Grove, singles, Sr.

* Janae Smith, La Habra, doubles, Sr.

* Cynthia Tran, Garden Grove, singles, Sr.

* John Vo, Anaheim, singles, Sr.

* Steve Weller, Newport Harbor, singles, Jr.

* Bonnie Wong, Villa Park, doubles, Jr.

* Kristen Wong, Cypress, doubles, Sr.

* Hendy Yaha, Century, singles, Sr.

League Favorites

Empire: Loara; Freeway: Fullerton; Garden Grove: Garden Grove; Golden West: Westminster.

Key Dates

Thursday, Villa Park at Garden Grove; Friday-Saturday, Cypress/Estancia tournament; April 2-3, Loara tournament; May 6-7, Garden Grove League finals, Golden West League finals; May 12, 18, 20, 25, Southern Section team playoffs; May 27, Southern Section team finals.

1998 Final Poll

1. Garden Grove; 2. Century; 3. Loara; 4. Fullerton; 5. Magnolia; 6. La Quinta; 7. Katella; 8. Troy; 9. Buena Park; 10. Marina.

Notes

The Southern Section’s decision last season to drop badminton from two divisions to one will take effect this season. The section cited the lack of schools participating in the sport as the reason for making the move. The same number of teams will participate in the playoffs, with a 32-team bracket instead of two 16-team brackets. . . . Corona del Mar has decided to drop its program this year, due to a lack of participation. . . . The Orange County Badminton Club again hosts the section individual and team finals, as well as Villa Park’s home matches.