Badminton

* The Proven: Villa Park sophomore Mike Chansawangpuvana won the Southern Section mixed doubles title last season. . . . Anaheim’s Beth De La Cruz finished second in doubles in the Golden West League. . . . Troy senior Jon Guerin is looking for his third consecutive Freeway League title. . . . Villa Park junior Mesinee Mangkalakiri was The Times’ Orange County Player of the Year last season. . . . Fullerton senior Ahn Nguyen advanced to the section finals in doubles. . . . Senior Brian Nguyen of Cypress won the Empire League mixed doubles title and was third in boys’ doubles. . . . The boys’ doubles team of Michael Tran and Scott Lee won the deciding match that gave Garden Grove the section championship.

* The Promising: Troy seniors R.J. Dolbin and Steve Kim finished second in league in boys’ doubles last season. . . . Frank Lien and Denny Oenar lead Sunny Hills. . . . Junior Mysinh Ly will battle for Troy’s No. 1 girls’ singles spot. . . . Magnolia’s Tony Kim and Tran Hau return to anchor a strong boys’ lineup. . . . Le Pham, Khoalinh Luong and Huong Ton give Garden Grove depth. . . . La Habra seniors Sarah Ramm, Monica Hidalgo, Wendy Kleinhamp and Sean Chitwood are the lone returning starters.

* Preseason top 10: 1. Garden Grove--Looking for second consecutive Southern Section title; 2. Villa Park--Hoping to win section title they couldn’t defend last season; 3. Katella--Could win first Empire League title since 1995; 4. Cypress--Trying to defend first Empire League title in 19 years. 5. Westminster--Should defend Golden West League title; 6. Loara--Will have tough time competing for Empire League title; 7. Bolsa Grande--It’s not easy being in the same league as Garden Grove; 8. Marina--Could battle Bolsa Grande for second place; 9. Troy--Returns seven starters from strong squad; 10. Fullerton--Will give Troy a battle for the Freeway League title.

* Key Dates: March 3-4, Garden Grove tournament; March 30, Katella at Cypress; April 4, Fullerton at Troy; April 5, Ocean View at Westminster; April 7-8, Estancia tournament; April 20, Loara at Cypress; May 10, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30, Southern Section team playoffs; May 11, 13, Southern Section individual playoffs.

* League Favorites: Empire--Katella; Freeway--Troy; Garden Grove--Garden Grove; Golden West--Westminster.

* Fast Fact: Newport Harbor has dropped badminton, leaving the county with only 24 teams. There are 64 teams in the Southern Section.