Burbank looks to build off a 21 win season heading into year three of the Steve Eshleman Era 

Published by

Lorenzo Antonio

on

Bulldogs enter the season as playoff contenders heading into the 2025-2026 season 

Basketball practice at Burbank High School gym, featuring players in blue and gray uniforms on the court, with a scoreboard in the background.
Burbank Bulldogs basketball team practicing in a gym, players wearing blue jerseys, with a scoreboard in the background.
A basketball practice session inside a gym, featuring players in blue jerseys shooting and practicing. A mural of a bulldog adorns the gym wall, highlighting school spirit.
A basketball gym at Burbank High School, with players in blue jerseys warming up on the court. The walls display school spirit banners and an American flag.

Fresh off a season where the Burbank Bulldogs finished with 21 wins and made an appearance in the CIF Southern Section Division 3A playoffs, there is excitement all around. This team is looking to be serious contenders in the Pacific League in year three of the Steve Eshleman era. Burbank finished in fifth place in the Pacific League with a record of 4-4  a season ago and qualified as an at-large team, but fell to Hement 69-99 in the opening round of the playoffs last season. 

Burbank Bulldogs basketball team practicing in a gym, showcasing players in blue jerseys during a training session.
A basketball practice session in a gym with players in blue uniforms, one player attempting a shot while others are engaged in various activities, with a bulldog mural visible on the wall.
Basketball players practicing in the gym at Burbank High School, with a banner showing the school's alma mater on the wall.
High school basketball practice session featuring players in blue jerseys on the court, with a mural of a bulldog on the wall.
High school basketball practice in a gymnasium, with players in blue jerseys practicing on the court. An electronic scoreboard displays the score 102-83, and various banners hang on the walls.
A basketball practice session at Burbank High School, featuring multiple players in blue jerseys actively participating on the court.

Under Eshleman the coaching staff entering the new season features head junior varsity coach Malique Johnson, head frosh coach Michael Lance, and assistant coaches Tighe Eshleman, Ray Watanga, George Pentaris and Cayden Baldarias. Baladaris was a graduate from John Burroughs High School in 2024 and was a one time player for the Burroughs Bears boys basketball team. 

Burbank Bulldogs basketball players preparing for a game in a gym with scoreboards and an American flag in the background.
Practice session for Burbank Bulldogs boys basketball team in a gym, with players in blue uniforms warming up and a scoreboard displaying 0:00.
Burbank Bulldogs basketball team practicing in their gym, preparing for the upcoming 2025-2026 season.
Burbank Bulldogs basketball team practicing in gym, featuring players in blue uniforms, with a Bulldog mascot mural on the wall.
High school basketball practice with players in blue and gray uniforms engaged in drills on the court.

Two key players to look out for on the Bulldogs heading into the new season will be both Ong brothers. Senior Cris Ong will look to be a team leader along with his younger brother Jon, a junior, who was last year’s Pacific League’s honorable mention. Cris Ong led the team with 61 steals along with 148 assists, and Jon Ong led the team in three point field goal percentage with 42%. 

Two basketball players practicing shooting in a gym with a mural of a bulldog on the wall, depicting the Burbank Bulldogs' spirit.
Two basketball players practicing in a gym with a Bulldog mascot mural on the wall.
Basketball practice session at Burbank High School gym, featuring players practicing shots and a coach overseeing the activity.
Basketball practice at Burbank High School gym, featuring players practicing dribbling and shooting.

“I’m optimistic about how our team does every season.  I’ve done this long enough to know where I can keep building on wins and to build a competitive product on the court.” said Steve Eshleman. He also added that the boys got along stronger throughout the summer by having less gym time and doing weight lifting four times a week. 

Burbank Bulldogs basketball players practicing on the court with a scoreboard in the background.
Two basketball players practicing in a gym, one preparing to shoot the ball while others are engaged in drills or waiting on the bench.
Students practicing basketball in a gym wearing blue uniforms, with a scoreboard visible in the background.
A basketball practice session in a gymnasium featuring several players in blue and gray jerseys, practicing shooting and passing, with basketball hoops and bleachers visible in the background.
Basketball players practice in a gym, featuring blue banners hanging from the ceiling and a polished wooden floor.
Two basketball players practicing in the gym of the Burbank Bulldogs, featuring a large bulldog mural on the wall and basketball hoops.

With the 2025-2026 season around the corner, The Bulldogs will begin the new season on Monday, November 24th at the San Gabriel Thanksgiving Feast Boys Varsity Basketball Tournament at San Gabriel High School which will go until Saturday, November 29th. Burbank will play their season home opener on Friday, December 12th against the Arcadia Apaches to begin Pacific League play with tip off slated for 6:45 p.m. The Bulldogs will also be part of the Duarte/Temple City Boys Varsity Basketball Holiday Tournament during the school’s winter break which will take place from Friday, December 26th and go until Tuesday, December 30th. 

Students practicing basketball in a gym at Burbank High School, with banners and equipment visible in the background.
Basketball players practice shooting in a gym with a bulldog mural and banners featuring sports achievements.
Interior of a basketball gymnasium featuring the phrase 'The Dog House' on the wall, with two players practicing shooting hoops.
Basketball players practicing shooting in a gymnasium with bleachers and banners in the background.
Basketball players practicing in a gym with a hoop and shooting machine, featuring blue bleachers and paw print decorations on the walls.

Burbank will take on their crosstown rival Burroughs Bears on Thursday, January 15th at Burbank High School and then again on Tuesday, February 3rd at John Burroughs High School. Both of those games will take place at 6:45 p.m. Senior Night to honor the graduating seniors on the team will take place on Thursday, January 29th against the Crescenta Valley Falcons. Stay tuned for coverage of the Burbank Bulldogs boys basketball team all season long.

Basketball players warming up on the court, with a scoreboard displaying 2:52 remaining in the second period and a score of 0-0.
A group of basketball players in blue jerseys practicing on the court inside Burbank High School gym, with school banners visible in the background.
A group of basketball players gathered in a gymnasium, wearing blue uniforms, listening to a coach during a practice session at Burbank High School.
An indoor basketball gym showing players in blue jerseys practicing. The scoreboard displays 2:39 remaining in the second period, with both teams at 0 points.
A basketball practice session at Burbank High School, featuring players in blue jerseys and a scoreboard showing a score of 14-6.
Burbank Bulldogs basketball team practicing in a gym, scoreboard displaying a score of 14-21 with 23:11 left in the game.
Basketball players practice in a gym featuring a mural of a bulldog and paw prints on the walls.
Basketball practice scene showing players in blue uniforms training in a gym, with a scoreboard and banners visible in the background.
Burbank High School basketball practice with players warming up and a scoreboard displaying the score.
Basketball players in blue jerseys practicing in a gym with a scoreboard and school banners in the background.
A basketball gym interior featuring players practicing, with one athlete in a blue jersey shooting hoops. Walls display school banners and an American flag is visible.
Basketball players practicing in a gymnasium, with a scoreboard displaying the game time and score.
Basketball practice session at Burbank High School, featuring players training on the court with a bulldog mural in the background.
Burbank Bulldogs basketball team practicing indoors with players wearing blue jerseys and scoreboard visible in the background.
Interior view of a gymnasium with basketball players in blue uniforms practicing. A scoreboard shows the game clock at 2:51, with the score at 0-0.
Burbank Bulldogs basketball practice in gym with scoreboard visible.
A basketball practice scene featuring players in blue jerseys practicing shooting in a gymnasium, with a large bulldog mascot mural on the wall.
A basketball game in progress with Burbank High School players in blue uniforms on the court. The scoreboard displays a score of 12 for the home team and 8 for the visitors, with 29 seconds left in the second period.
Burbank Bulldogs basketball team practicing in a gym, with players in blue jerseys and a bulldog mural on the wall.
A basketball practice session at Burbank High School with players in blue jerseys, practicing shooting and drills. The gym features banners celebrating past championships and has a scoreboard visible.

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