Bears looking to show people why this season won’t be a rebuild 

A new era officially begins for the Burroughs Bears boy’s basketball team as Darryl Carter begins his first season as the program’s head coach following a five-year coaching stint at Crespi High School. Carter hopes to bring sustainability to the program following a two-year turmoil within the team after letting go of two head coaches following the 2022-2023 season and midway through the 2023-2024 season. 

The Coaching staff under Darryl Carter will feature Eric Willis (Head Junior Varsity Coach), Brandon Jimenez (Head Frosh Coach), and Scott Kolovarius (Varsity Assistant Coach). Kolovarius and Willis were holdovers from last year’s staff while Jimenez, who was a one-time basketball player for the Burroughs Indians, is the only newcomer on staff. 

“I’m excited to embark on my first head coaching job and to grow with these young men,” said new Bears Coach Darryl Carter. Carter admitted that Kolovarius has welcomed him on board and that Owen Everhart will undoubtedly be an elite player for this young Bears team. 

This roster will feature no seniors since their four graduating seniors have transferred to play their final seasons at different schools. Jagger Topp will play his senior season at Maranatha High School while Ladon Everhart and Jacob Samotina will now play for Art Samontina with the Glendale Nitros. Elijah Orjuela will play his senior season at Providence High School in Burbank. The players to watch under coach Carter will be sophomore Owen Everhart and juniors Evan Baker, Evan Lainer, Giordan Lewis, and Elliot Lawrence. 

“It’s been great getting to know Coach Carter, he instills discipline and it’s a blessing for us to play and grow together as a unit,” said Bears star sophomore guard Owen Everhart. Everhart admitted that he’s super excited about the opportunity to play against his big brother Landon when Glendale takes on Burroughs on Friday, January 17th at John Burroughs High School. 

Important dates on the calendar to pay attention to include Wednesday, November 20, when the Bears kick off the 2024-2025 season against Northridge Academy, which will be the head coaching Debut for Daryl Carter, with tip-off slated for 8:00 p.m. Other dates to pay attention to are when Burroughs kicks off Pacific League play against Crescenta Valley with game time scheduled for 6:45 p.m. along with the home finale taking place on Tuesday, January 21st against Muir also at 6:45 p.m. Burroughs will play rival Burbank on Wednesday, January 29th at Burbank High School which will be scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Stay tuned for coverage of the John Burroughs Bears boys basketball season all season long.