Newsday's All-Long Island boys badminton team 2026
Newsday's 2026 All-Long Island boys badminton team. From left: Coach of the Year Anthony LaRosa, Michael Li, Alex Li, Daniel Lin, Brian Yun, Jerry Lin, Owen He and Arthur Xu. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
Newsday Player of the Year: Arthur Xu, Great Neck South, Soph.
The Nassau singles tournament final put Xu’s talents on full display. In a third set that pushed past the target score, Xu narrowly pulled out a 29-27 victory to earn his title.
Xu’s first season at first singles didn’t disappoint the Rebels. The sophomore won his matchup against Jericho’s Edward Chang in the county final and during the regular season, when the Rebels snapped Jericho’s 70-match winning streak.
With Xu entering his junior year next season, a Rebels team that finished as county runner-up and has upped its win total in each of the past two years may once again find itself competing for a county title.
Arthur Xu of Great Neck South. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
First Team
Brian Yun, Half Hollow Hills, Sr.
Yun earned a come-from-behind victory in the final to earn the Suffolk singles title. The senior finished the season 19-3 as Hills went undefeated through the county final.
Michael Li, Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK, Soph.
Li finished the regular season 14-0 to complete his second straight undefeated season at first singles. The sophomore finished as runner-up in the Nassau singles tournament.
Alex Li and Owen He, Jericho, Srs.
The duo moved up from third doubles to first doubles this season and proved it to be the right move. As the third seed in the Nassau doubles tournament, they defeated the top seed to win the title.
Daniel Lin and Jerry Lin, Half Hollow Hills, Jrs.
The pair made it to the Suffolk doubles tournament final for the second straight season, this time earning the title. The duo went 20-2 as they helped Hills to a county championship
Coach of the Year: Anthony LaRosa, Jericho
The Jayhawks' early-season loss was a hiccup they weren’t accustomed to, but LaRosa got his team back in focus quickly. Jericho won its next 15 matches, including the county final against Great Neck South and the Long Island championship against Half Hollow Hills.
Christopher Matias covers high school sports for Newsday after spending time in Athletic Facilities and Operation at St. John’s and in Sports Information at CUNY York college.
