Long Beach State grew up right along with the sprawling Southern California suburbs. Born in 1949, it swelled to accommodate the post-world war enthusiasm for education and land. The rapid expansion brought its share of growing pains. Students took classes in a cramped converted apartment with no books and playing ring-around-the-rosie for physical education. Money was scarce, and faculty at times feuded with the administration. But the new college's "let's put on a show" spirit produced a scrappiness that endures today. Read about the personalities that grew the college from Fred Bixby's bean fields into one of the largest universities in California.

Long Beach has produced some of California's best teams and players, from the NCAA success of Long Beach State to the CIF dominance of Long Beach Poly. Starting with the early hoop dreams of the 1900s, lace up your kicks, step in the gym and prepare for an unforgettable lesson in California basketball history. Explore the city's most celebrated athletes and teams, including local pioneers of women's basketball, who found an early home on the city's hardcourts. Complete with exclusive photos and interviews, authors Mike Guardabascio and Chris Trevino give a play-by-play of the sport's illustrious past in the city of Long Beach.