It's a good week for the return of By the Books, since Long Beach has two CIF no. 1 teams, and a no. 2 to boot.  Let's get to it!

Boys' basketball

Poly is the highest ranked boys' team right now, sitting pretty at no. 2 in CIF, behind Mater Dei.  MaxPreps has the Rabbits at no. 24 in the nation and no. 4 in the state.  The Rabbits don't crack ESPN's top 50 nationally, but are ranked no. 10 in the Western region.  USA Today has Poly at no. 7 in the West.

Compton is ranked no. 6 in Division 2, and St. Anthony is no. 5 in Division 5.

Girls' basketball

It's all Poly again on the hardcourt, as the Rabbits are the top-ranked team in CIF, with Jordan joining them at no. 8, and Millikan at no. 13.  Nationally, MaxPreps has Poly at no. 4 in the country; ESPN has them at no. 8 in the nation, while USA Today ranks them no. 5.  Poly remains in the hunt for a national title, and will have a big signal-post game this weekend against a USA Today Top 10 team in Whitney Young, from Chicago.

Girls' soccer

Wilson is the lone ranked school in CIF from the city, sitting at no. 5.  ESPN has them at no. 38 in the nation.

Boys' soccer

Another top-ranked team out of Long Beach, as Millikan is on the top looking down ranked no. 1 in CIF, a return to their preseason status.  No love from ESPN yet, but there's time.

Girls' water polo

Wilson is ranked no. 7 in CIF, as the lone ranked team from the league.