Eight teams entering the new season with new hope and expectations 

With the 2024-2025 season fast approaching, here’s a quick breakdown of every team’s outlines heading into the new season.

Arcadia Apaches

2023-2024 results: 21-10 Overall 11-3 Pacific League 

CIF Southern Section Division 3AA Playoff Result: Lost to Serra 55-63 in the Quarterfinal Round

Entering his 7th season coaching the Arcadia Apaches, Nick Wallace has Arcadia as one of the top teams in contention for a Pacific League Championship, placing third behind Crescenta Valley a season ago. This team should round out the top three in the Pacific League again along with CV and powerhouse Pasadena. Junior guards Noa Eteuati Edwards and Mateo Ingersoll should be guys who will help the Apaches get to the top. Another key player to watch is the freshman point guard Nick Wallace Jr (Son of Head Coach Nick Wallace Sr), who should be a name to watch out for when the season starts. The Arcadia Apaches will kick off the 2024-2025 season on the road against Jordan High School at the Westside tip-off on Tuesday, November 19th at 3:30 p.m. along with the season home opener against West Covina on Wednesday, November 20th with tip-off slated for 6:30 p.m. 

Burbank Bulldogs 

2023-2024 regular season result 6-22 overall 2-12 Pacific League 

Postseason result Missed Playoffs 

Longtime high school basketball Head Coach Steve Eshleman will look to continue rebuilding the program after the Bulldogs had a losing season a year ago. This team is looking to end their longest home-losing streak dating back to January of 2023. Senior guard Kevin Dabashinan and junior guard Christoper Ong will look to contribute to helping the young Bulldogs get back to Pacific League Title contention. They will be joined by the Pacific League’s returning Honorable Mention Kamoran Alborzian. The Bulldogs will begin the 2024-2025 season at the North Hollywood Showcase on Saturday, November 23rd against Sotomayor. 

Burroughs Bears 

2023-2024 regular season result 15-14 overall 6-8 Pacific League 

CIF Southern Section Division 4AA result: Lost to Costa Mesa 77-86 in the opening round 

The John Burroughs Bears have been in program turmoil following the dismissal of two head coaches in two years. Despite the drama that unfolded last season the Bears still managed to finish in the top four in the Pacific League, making playoffs. Daryl Carter will begin his rookie season as the head coach of the John Burroughs Bears boys basketball program with a roster that will feature no seniors but will mostly feature juniors and sophomores. Junior big Evan Lanier and sophomore guard Owen Everheart will look to help the Bears make a lot of noise this season. Burroughs will start the new season against Northridge Academy on Wednesday, November 20th at 8:00 p.m.

Crescenta Valley Falcons 

2023-2024 regular season results 22-7 Overall 12-2 Pacific League 

CIF Southern Section Division 2AA Playoff result Lost to Trabuco Hills 61-79 in the opening round of the postseason 

Longtime Head Coach Shawn Zargarian always puts the Falcons in the best position to win every year and guided CV to a second-place finish in Pacific League Play a season ago. Senior Guards Vaughn Zargarian (son of Head Coach Shawn Zargarian) and Michael Sahagian will help the Falcons challenge Pasadena for a league championship. CV will take on Royal at the Simi Valley Tournament to begin the new season on Wednesday, November 20th at 3:30 p.m.  

Glendale Nitros 

2023-2024 regular season result 15-14 overall 5-9 Pacific League 

CIF Southern Section Division 4A Playoff result: Lost to Carter 86-95 in the opening round of the postseason. 

Entering his third season as the head coach of the Glendale Nitros, Art Samontina will arguably have one of the best player combos on paper. While entering the playoff last year as an at-large team, the Nitros are looking to make a lot of noise heading into the new season. The two transfer seniors Jacob Samontina (son of head coach Art Samontina) and Landon Everhart who spent the first three seasons at John Burroughs High School are looking to be like the next Kobe and Shaq combo for the Nitros. Senior forward Joshua Ballard should very well be that third star alongside Samontia and Everhart. Glendale will start the new season against San Fernando on Monday, November 18th at 7:00 p.m. 

Hoover Tornados 

2023-2024 regular season result 15-13 overall 4-10 Pacific League 

CIF Southern Section Division 5AA result Lost to Buckely 41-42 in the quarterfinals 

Last year, the Tornados made a Cinderella run to the quarterfinal round of the playoffs when no one thought they would. This was a team that was overlooked and didn’t have championship-level expectations. Hoover made it as an at-large team just like their crosstown rival Glendale. A new era will begin this season for the Tornados as longtime head coach Jack Van Patten has stepped down from his head coaching role and Ryan Baregsjan will now take over as the program’s next head coach replacing Van Patten. Van Patten will continue with the program in a more limited role as an advisor to Baregsjan. Senior guard Jaden Duncan and junior guard Justin Herrera will be key players that will help the Tornados be a team that should be very competitive heading into the new season. Hoover starts the season by hosting San Marino on Wednesday, November 20th at 7:00 p.m. 

Muir Mustangs 

2023-2024 regular season result 8-19 overall 3-11 Pacific League 

Postseason result missed playoffs

It’s year two of the Brenton Moore Era for the John Muir Mustangs as he looks to guide them through a lengthy rebuild. Seniors Oscar Marinero and Richard Riddle will be guys to be counted on for the young ’stangs. While the expectations aren’t sky-high, this team should continue to improve as time passes. The Mustangs will begin the season on Monday, November 25th at 10:00 a.m. 

Pasadena Bulldogs 

2023-2024 result 25-4 overall 13-1 Pacific League 

CIF SS Division 21 result lost to Bishop Amat 54-58 in the 2nd round of the postseason 

The Pasadena Bulldogs are the favorites to win the league every season and produce NBA and college-level talent. Since taking over the program in the 2013-2014 season Anthony Brooks has guided the Bulldogs to multiple winning seasons and multiple league titles under his wing and Pasadena was the seventh-best team in the state of California a season ago. Senior guard Desmond Every and junior big Josh Iriving will be guys that will be counted on for the Bulldogs to continue their winning ways this season. Pasadena will take on Mater Dei at the San Diego Los Angeles Challenge to start the new season on Saturday, November 23rd. 

The 2024-2025 High School basketball season begins on Monday, November 18th. Stay tuned for coverage of Pacific League boys basketball all season long.