An improvement in the rebuild is coming 

The Burbank Bulldogs are looking to up their expectations in the second year of the Steve Eshleman Era. Last season the Bulldogs finished in last place in the Pacific League by going 6-22 overall and 2-12 in Pacific League play without recording a home win when they went 0-7 in all home games they played. Burbank went 3-10 on the road and 3-5 in tournaments. Burbank is looking to win their first home win since January of 2023. 

The Coaching staff under Eshleman will feature Malique Johnson (Head Junior Varsity Coach), Michale Lance (Head Frosh Coach), Tighe Eshleman (Assistant Coach), Ray Watanga (Assistant Coach), and George Pentaris (Assistant Coach). Johnson served as the Head JV and Interim Coach of the John Burroughs High School Boys Basketball program last season before the one-time Bulldog basketball player joined Eshleman’s staff for the upcoming season. 

The Players that will look to help with the rebuild will be senior guard Kamaran Alborzian (returning Pacific League’s Honorable Mention) along with fellow seniors Kevin Dabashian (point guard), Arthur Ambaryan (center), Areg Aslayan (guard/forward), and junior guard Christopher Ong. 

“We lifted our standards and our culture is 100% better. I’ve turned around programs before and feel way ahead here at Burbank High than at Pennsylvania,” said Bulldogs coach Steve Eshleman. Eshleman admitted that he’s still not a fan of individualizing players and said that the plan is to use 13 players on the varsity roster to the best of their ability and preach team basketball. 

The Bulldogs will begin the new season with a non-league road contest against New Design Watts on Monday, November 18th with tip-off scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Other dates on the calendar include the team’s season home opener on Thursday, December 5th against Waverly at 7:00 p.m. along with Pacific League play starting on Tuesday, January 7th, with the Battle of the Bulldogs at Pasadena High at 7:00 p.m. The crosstown rival tip-off will happen on Wednesday, January 29th against Burroughs with tip-off scheduled for 6:45 p.m which will also include senior night pregame festivities honoring the class of 2025 on the Burbank Bulldogs Boys Basketball Program. Stay tuned all season long for coverage of the Burbank High boys basketball program.