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Esther Shi wins singles title, helps Stevenson badminton take state

Stevenson freshman Esther Shi ran through her first five singles opponents with ease at the badminton state tournament Friday and Saturday in Charleston.

In the championship match against Naperville North freshman Emma Lin, Shi was sure to face a tougher challenge. But as she had all tournament, Shi played with power and grace and swept Lin 21-13, 21-11.

Her singles title, the first for Stevenson since Miwa Kuniwake won in 1999, secured the Patriots’ first girls badminton team title since 2012.

“I’ve spent a lot of time preparing to do this,” Shi said. “At this level, against strong opponents, you try and outlast them. You wait for the opponent to make a mistake.”

Shi, a Buffalo Grove resident, arrived at Stevenson as a seasoned badminton player. She is a member of the Chicago Badminton Training Center out of Lisle and Schaumburg and has competed in national club tournaments.

Coach Grant Johnson said Shi, who finished the season at 39-1, combines athleticism, refined instincts, a dogged work ethic and a humility that endears her to teammates.

“She loves to practice and has an ability to understand the flow of the game,” Johnson said. “The precision of her shots are outstanding. She knows what her opponents are going to do and is always in control of a point.”

“My favorite thing about Esther is how down to earth she is,” said senior Ashley Richardson, who resides in Lincolnshire. “She is so good but doesn’t go around flaunting it.”

Richardson ended her long and distinguished Stevenson athletic career with a seventh-place finish at the state meet.

After winning her first two matches, Richardson dropped a three-set heartbreaker to Jenny Li of Fremd. She regrouped to win three matches in the consolation bracket before falling in the consolation semis.

“A warrior,” Johnson said of Richardson. “The loss (in the third round) could have been devastating for her. Her tenacity to come back and win three more matches showed her inner drive and unique status as an athlete.”

Richardson played her first varsity season as a freshman for the Patriots’ girls basketball team. On May 13, she walked off the court in Charleston having competed her final season, three as a state-level badminton player.

“It was a storybook ending, and I have enjoyed every moment of it,” Richardson said. “I’m going to miss the moments and all the friends I have made as a Stevenson athlete.”

The Patriots also got a strong effort from the doubles team of May Ling and Jenny Yang, who finished second in the state.

Ling, a senior, and Yang, a freshman, lost to Joyce Chen and Shrinithi Venkatesan of Neuqua Valley 21-17, 21-13.

Buranosky wraps up Deerfield career

Deerfield sent a singles player and a doubles team to the state tournament.

The Warriors’ doubles team of seniors Brooke Buranosky and Ellie Wilson had the best results. They won four matches, two in both the championship and consolation brackets.

“Communication was the key for us all year,” Buranosky said. “(Wilson) is a strong smasher, and we worked well together.”

Buranosky closes out her athletic career after playing four years of tennis, gymnastics and badminton at Deerfield. The state tournament was also the final stop for coach Edee Madsen, who is retiring after 18 seasons as head coach.

“It’s a bittersweet day for me. The four years go by so fast,” Buranosky said. “It was special for us to share this season with (Madsen). It was a good way to end it.”

Junior singles player Ruthie Silberman finished 1-2 for the Warriors.

Scouts gain state experience

Lake Forest also sent a singles player and a doubles team to the state meet.

Junior Emily Gorczynski and the doubles team of senior Lauren Abbattista and freshman Nika Belova both went 1-2 at the state tournament.

Jon J. Kerr is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.

Twitter @Pioneer_Press