Empire Badminton Players of the Year

<p>Dominance only begins to describe Chris Stasse on the badminton court, where the Maria Carrillo junior went undefeated in singles and mixed doubles in North Bay League play.</p><p>Stasse led the Pumas by more than example. He was a player-coach of sorts, taking the team through stretches and drills, offering tips and advice.</p><p>“Chris was the team leader, one who people looked up to,” said Maria Carrillo coach Kevin Albritton. “He has a lot of talent, but with that a willingness to work hard.</p><p>A first-team All-Empire selection as a sophomore, Stasse was boys' player of the year this season after going 14-0 in singles and 18-0 in mixed doubles in the NBL. Stasse went 2-2 in singles at the North Coast Section finals.</p><p>“My shots were better all around. My confidence is a lot better,” he said. “I don't give up, don't lose focus, don't get psyched out easily.”</p><p>Yet those undefeated numbers in league play also reflect the North Bay's thin depth of top players.</p><p>To improve his game, Stasse spent last summer training and playing matches four days a week at an Emeryville badminton club. He is back into the regimen this month, preparing for the junior nationals in Burlingame next month.</p><p>“The guys who did really well at NCS have been training since they were very young and they've had the opportunity to play people better than them,” Stasse said.</p><p>Becoming more fit on the court, as well as harnessing his talent should help Stasse climb the sectional ranks, Albritton said.</p><p>“With a little strength training and a little more conditioning, he could contest for one of the top spots at NCS next year,” Albritton said.</p><p>That is Stasse's goal.</p><p>“If I got really lucky and trained really hard, winning NCS is a possibility,” he said.</p><p>You can reach Staff Writer Michael Coit at 521-5470 or mike.coit@pressdemocrat.com.</p>