Natalie Guzman is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Trevor G. Browne for AZPreps365.com

For Arizona high school sports, schools will play in two different types of games throughout their season. Thse games include ”regional” and ”freedom” matches, and allow for schools to play locally and across other districts in Arizona.

Trevor Browne badminton head coach Danell McPhaul said the main difference between regional and freedom matches are that freedom matches consist of more experienced teams.

“Region is going to be teams just like us. So we end up doing a little better here,” McPhaul said. “We faced our freedom games early so that got us a little bit better and got us ready for our region games.”

For badminton, there are two divisions in the AIA. Trevor Browne is in division 1, and placement is somewhat decided on the size of a school in population and the same level of play for each school in each division.

In each division, there are five regional groups. Trevor Browne is located in Division 1 Metro and its regional opponents include schools from local Phoenix Union Districts, such as Maryvale  and Alhambra high schools.

Trevor Browne’s first six games were freedom matches, and its last freedom match was its second-to-last game of the season, at Hamilton High School on October 16.

In the 2022 season, its only two wins were also against schools that were in its region, Carl Hayden and Maryvale – the same two schools it beat in this year’s season.

Hamilton head coach Lauren Rosales said freedom matches allow her team to see different competition from other districts and regions.

“It’s nice to play region matches when there’s a lot on the line, but Freedom matches give us more opportunities to play people outside of regular matchups,” Rosales said.

Hamilton was the last freedom match that Trevor Browne played, and it’s one of the best teams in the state. However, that doesn’t mean it has no weaknesses.

McPhaul said that for freedom games, their opponents’ biggest weakness is technique. He said it’s important that he teaches his girls how to read their opponent, and that it’s not dependent on athleticism.

This 2023 season, Trevor Browne lost all seven of its freedom matches, and they were all 0-9 or 1-8 losses.

However, it won two of its six regional, or section, matches. Two of its four regional losses were close, where they only lost 4-5. The other two were 2-7, which were closer than their freedom matches.

It can be harder for teams to go head-to-head with teams who typically have either undefeated seasons or winning records. Ultimately these matchups help girls get better and learn from their mistakes.

Varsity No. 4 Dania Duran said that these freedom matches help show her biggest weaknesses, which include moving on the court and her racket angle.

“I learn that I need to practice more and take it seriously because sometimes I don't,” Duran said.

Trevor Browne ended its season 2-11, and hopes to do better in both freedom and regional matches in the 2024 season.