Badminton was always the most fun lesson during gym class, where we got to play for an entire week. I imagine the Patriots find the sport fun as well, considering their strong 2026 season.
The Ward Melville boys varsity badminton team is a member of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and competes in League I. The boys are led by eighth-year head coach Brian O’Shaughnessy, who is joined by assistant coach Allie Kennedy. The Patriots boast a 10-0-0 record, leaving them as one of two teams to remain undefeated this season.
“We have a very senior-heavy and experienced group, and a few of our players are some of my volleyball boys in the fall. Their volleyball skills translate to badminton very well. The other seniors, mainly our singles players, have just fallen in love with the game and have played year-around vs one another in a local gym. They’re just really intelligent players and have a high competitive drive. They’ve done well figuring out how to win, where in the past they would just fail at trying to take the easy way out. They like to compete and like the challenge of winning. They push each other in practice, and it just helps make us stronger and stronger. Pretty much iron sharpening iron,” said O’Shaughnessy.
The Patriots are hot this season, winning all ten of their matches so far. Varsity badminton uses rally scoring, which is said to make the match quicker and more exciting. The highest win total scored by Ward Melville was 9-0, which they did twice in back-to-back outings.
“Our girls’ team has had a lot of success in the past, not so much on the boys’ side. The program has existed for nine years, and we’re a perennial playoff team; we just haven’t made the next level jump. Typically, we’ve been anywhere from a 5-7 seed,” said O’Shaughnessy.
The Section XI Badminton playoffs begin May 7, with the top six teams hunting for the right to keep their season going. The Patriots want to make it to the tournament and go all the way.
“To win a championship, we have to be able to beat the teams that have historically had success: Miller Place, Commack, and Half Hollow Hills. Hills have dominated for a while now. We see them in the last game of the season, and they’re undefeated as well. So hopefully with how things have gone and how hungry we’ve become, we can win a big game when it matters,” said O’Shaughnessy.
Having the experience is one thing, but the mental aspect is another. Ward Melville has been working on their mental game to coincide with the physical game.
“The mindset I want our boys to carry into the playoffs is to be active and not reactive when they’re playing. Pushing their style of play and making their opponent have to adjust to them rather than us having to be reactionary and play from behind. If our boys can bully their opponents on the court, then it puts us in a very good position to be successful,” O’Shaughnessy told the Messenger.
