Photo: Lindsay Carter won both her singles and doubles games
The Prescott Badgers are back in the Division 2 state championship thanks to a gritty win over the Chaparral Firebirds 6-2. It was the second time Prescott has beaten the Firebirds this season. A big crowd was on hand to display their support in the two hour plus match.
Thanks to Arizona College Prep, the Badgers won’t have to face the Ironwood Eagles again for the championship. The Eagles had ended the Badgers season with a loss in three of the last four years. Prescott won over AZ College Prep 6-3 a couple of weeks ago.
Photo: Megan Townsend beat her number one seed counterpart Chi Chi Bracken 2-1
Megan Townsend took her first game easy, but Chi Chi Bracken battled back in a very competitive game. Townsend ran away with the third game. Both Riley Crockett and Elle Long swept by pulling away in both of their games. Lindsay Carter also swept, but in closer games. Lauren Farley won the first game, but could not get past a very tight game two, ultimately falling in the third.
Photo: Lauren Farley reaches down for the return
Photo: Riley Crockett serves as Elle Long is ready in their match clinching doubles win
The doubles round saw the Badgers winning both with Elle Long and Riley Crockett clinching the match. Crockett said, “This was amazing. I felt great. I was strong in the singles, and was ready to go. Can’t wait for tomorrow.” Long said, “Being able to get the win to send us to the championship was so much fun. We knew we were going to do it. I am so looking forward to playing tomorrow night.”
The Badgers (17-0), have been the favorite all season long, look to finish the season in the top spot wire to wire, which would be quite an accomplishment. Chaparral ends their season at (14-2), with a home loss, and a road loss to the Badgers.
SINGLES RESULTS
#1 Megan Townsend won 2-1 over Chi Chi Bracken 21-7, 21-23, 21-10
#2 Riley Crockett won 2-0 over Ellie Bucher 21-10, 21-12
#3 Elle Long won 2-0 over Molly Rich 21-12, 21-15
#4 Lindsay Carter won 2-0 over Myra Duncan 21-10, 21-17
#5 Lauren Farley lost 2-1 to Emerson Lewis 18-21, 21-18, 21-9
#6 Breckyn Tubbs lost 2-0 to Hadley Huffman 21-8, 21-16
DOUBLES RESULTS
#1 Elle Long/Riley Crockett won 2-0 over Chi Chi Bracken/Ellie Bucher 21-14, 21-14
#2 Megan Townsend/Lindsay Carter won 2-0 over Molly Rich/Myra Duncan 21-14, 23-21
Coach Bobbi Yoder has built a strong badminton program at Prescott High School. Here are the previous five seasons, along with this year of Badger Badminton, with an impressive overall record of 86-10.
Year Record Season Ending Match
2022 17-0 vs. Arizona College Prep at Desert Vista HS
2021 17-1 Lost to Ironwood in championship at Cortez HS
2020 16-1 Lost to Ironwood in semifinals at Prescott HS
2019 11-4 Lost to Washington in first round at Mesquite HS
2018 13-1 Lost to Ironwood in first round at Prescott HS
2017 12-3 Lost to Mesquite in first round at Prescott HS
