Great Neck North High School freshman Anson Cheung makes a...

Great Neck North High School freshman Anson Cheung makes a serve during the Nassau County varsity boys' badminton individual championships at Bellmore JFK High School. He defeated Matt George of Jericho in the first singles final 21-17, 21-18 to win the county crown. (Oct. 26, 2012) Credit: James Escher

Anson Cheung makes it look easy. Whether it's delivering the clear shot, the drop shot, or the lightning smash shot, the junior from Great Neck North can score quickly.

And he's won a lot of badminton matches because of it.

Cheung returns this season as the two-time defending Nassau County champion in singles play and is determined to add another title to his resume.

"I'm going to need to be fit to defend the title," Cheung said. "I feel like I'm at that point because in the summer I train every week. I think I'm more consistent in rally play."

So what else makes Cheung so good? He took first place recently in the IBC Junior Championship at the International Badminton Center in Edison, New Jersey, and he's nationally ranked 21st in singles play for players in the age group U17.

"Playing in more tournaments gives me the confidence I need," said Cheung, who earned the No. 1 singles title as a freshman. "I feel more superior each time I take the court and that's a great feeling."

Cheung is so good that Blazers coach John Zak referred to him as "like no player I've ever coached before," Zak said.

"His skill level is on a level that I haven't seen before," Zak said. "All of his shots look the same . . . [but] the velocity of his shots are what set him apart from everyone else."

Cheung said the shot he executes often is the lightning smash because he has the ability to finish the rally fast. Zak called that shot "unstoppable."

"Because I'm tall , I have a great reach and my wrist power is good, so that shot is the most beneficial," Cheung said. "I may not have as much stamina as others, so I use that shot to be more offensive and finish each match quickly."

Jericho, the five-time defending champ, is once again the team to beat. It proved as such during its 4-3 season-opening home win over Great Neck North. Zach George's 21-19, 21-11 victory broke a 3-3 tie to propel the Jayhawks.

Jericho has had the best regular-season record during its championship stretch and will now have to defend the title in a playoff bracket.

Roslyn is new to the nine-team league.

In its seventh season, boys badminton in Nassau will feature a postseason team tournament featuring semifinals and finals play for the first time. The individual championships will be Oct. 30 at Long Beach High School and the team championship is Nov. 7 (TBA).

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