Both Bulldogs’ basketball programs had similar seasons a year ago. Both finished with enough wins in the regular season to earn at-large berths into the CIF Southern Section playoffs and both lost in the first round.
Both programs also have similar expectations for the upcoming season as they both expect to be competitive in the Pacific League and both coaches stating they expect Muir and Pasadena to be the front runners in the league race again this year. Here is a look at the way both squads breakdown.
BURBANK GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
Misfortune like the injury bug plagued the Bulldogs during the regular season a year ago, then good fortune allowed them to qualify for the CIF Southern Section playoffs by winning a coin flip to break a 4th place tie in the Pacific League.
Burbank (13-14 a year ago) returns an experienced group this year under coach Bruce Breeden. Senior guard Sylvia Granados and forward Jamie Gonzalez are two players he will lean on.
Breeden also expects Damarie Gonzalez and the return of Courtney Seidler from an eye injury to key the Bulldogs success as well as newcomer Ashley Linda, a sophomore forward.
The injury bug seems to be tough for Burbank to shake. Lysette Perez and Irene Pashapour are already slowed by injury. Perez, a junior, is nursing a shoulder injury, while Pashapour — a senior guard — is sidelined with a knee injury.
A tough nonleague schedule should ready the Bulldogs for the Pacific League. The Bulldogs will play in the San Gabriel Valley Classic, the Burroughs Tournament and the West Coast Holiday Fest in preparation for Pacific League play which begins January 3 at Pasadena.
BURBANK BOYS’ BASKETBALL
Three starters from last season make-up the nucleus for a Burbank team that went 16-12 overall a season ago — Austin Pope, Remy Youssefi and Ander Spight. Gone to graduation are Adam Colman and Chris White.
Newcomers, Adrian Chavez and Simon Elmoyan should help fill those voids, the latter however will not be eligible until after the new year after transferring from Hoover High School. Chavez comes from cross town rival Burroughs. Sophomore Albert Marmol is a homegrown impact player who coach Jose Hernandez expects a lot from as well.
Hernandez expects perennial powers Pasadena and Muir to be the favorites again. He also believes Crescenta Valley could be tough.
