Benicia High’s badminton team had its season officially come to an end Friday after all four of its entries in the Sac-Joaquin Section Tournament failed to advance past the first day at Bear Creek High School in Stockton.

Benicia’s two doubles teams each managed to win a couple of matches before getting eliminated. Anataya Phadungsang and Anise Ghandchi went 2-2 overall while the Burdick twins – Jeanette and Simone – also went 2-2. The Burdick twins were making their second straight SJS appearance, the first Lady Panthers to qualify for Sections more than once.

Benicia’s two singles entries struggled. Gabby Traver managed to win her first match but finished 1-2. Teammate Jade Fisher went 0-2.

Friday marked the first time any Benicia entrant won a Section match, a sign of progress for a team that finished second this season in the Solano County Athletic Conference – the best finish in the history of Benicia’s badminton program.

“We had a very successful season and I couldn’t have asked for more,” said Benicia coach Tom Stephens. “We had a great group of girls this year and they all worked hard. It’s a positive cycle in the program that keeps going and I expect us to be good again next year.”

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