Badminton Player of the Year finalists
Brennan Agnew, Corona del Sol
Agnew played a thrilling couple of matches against Julia Mumme in both the singles and team state tournaments. Agnew won both matches, and went 3-2 against Mumme throughout the 2018 season. With her high-arcing returns and ability to work the back line, Agnew was a big reason why Corona del Sol finished second in the Division I state tournament.
Nikhita Jayaraj, Perry
A member of the doubles state champion and the team state champion, Jayaraj was a consistent and stabilizing force for the dominant Division-I Perry Pumas.
Sofia Lovesy, Sunnyslope
Along with partner
Lilly Major, Lovesy made it to the Division II doubles finals. The pair fell to the team of Pepe and Woods from Horizon. Lovesy helped Sunnyslope go undefeated in tournament play this season. She also won her singles match in the Division II state finals, which Sunnyslope won.
Jordan Ludwig, Washington
After finishing runner-up in last year's Division II singles state tournament, Ludwig was determined to go the distance this year, and she did, wining the title over Lily Ren of Ironwood.
Julia Mumme, Perry
Mumme finished runner-up in the Division I singles competition for the second year in a row. She was the No.1 player for Perry this season, leading the Pumas to the team title.
Lily Ren, Ironwood
Ren made it to the finals of the Division II state tournament. She lost to Ludwig. In the team tournament, Ren led the No. 9-seeded Ironwood on a Cinderella run to the tournament finals.
Tori Pepe & Kaity Woods, Horizon
Lifelong friends who grew up playing softball together, Woods and Pepe turned their seasons around when they decided to join as a doubles team. The two beat the top-seeded team from Sunnyslope, Major and Lovesy, in the Division II doubles state championship.
Coach of the Year
Sarah Schlesinger, Sunnyslope Not many teams get to celebrate winning a state championship on their home court. Sunnyslope got that rare opportunity this year. The Vikings are becoming a badminton powerhouse. Schlesinger's team didn't lose a tournament all season and cruised to its third consecutive team title.
Also considered: Lerina Johnson, Gilbert Perry; Brett Stafford, Glendale Ironwood.
How they were selected
The players and coaches were chosen by the azcentral sports high school sports reporters, using personal observations and interviews with players and coaches as well as statistics and rankings.
azcentral Sports Awards return in June
The azcentral Sports Awards recognizes and honors the top athletic accomplishments in Arizona high school sports. This event is hosted by azcentral and will take place June 9 at ASU Gammage. The show features various awards, contests and a special appearance from a celebrity guest (TBA). Tickets go on sale on Dec. 17.