TONIGHT’S GIRLS’ GAMES : San Clemente Faces Tall Order in Buena

Mary Mulligan, girls’ basketball coach at San Clemente, saw films of the tall and talented girls at Ventura Buena, her team’s opponent tonight in the second round of the Southern Section Division I-A playoffs, and knew she had to take creative measures.

“We’ve been practicing against some of our boys’ varsity players,” Mulligan said. “We are hoping that’s going to help a lot.”

The plan is for the Tritons (18-6) to get some work against taller, rougher players because Buena (23-2), seeded third in the division, features a front line of 6-footers: forwards Julie Hurdy (6-0) and Michelle Giordano (6-0) and center April Buck (6-2 1/2).

Giordano is Buena’s leading scorer with a 15.7-point average. Buck averages 9.5 points and Hurdy averages eight.

“Offensively, they just pound it inside,” Mulligan said. “We have to try to force them out to the perimeter. We have to block and keep them off the boards and limit them to one shot (per possession).”

Mulligan, who guided San Clemente to second place in the tough South Coast League, said the Tritons will attempt to stay in the game by forcing the tempo.

“We are going to really try to push the transition game and try to get off as many shots as possible,” she said.

Most of those shots probably will be taken by 5-11 senior center Kristin McOwen, who averages 13.9 points, and 5-6 senior guard Maili Rohner, who contributes 10.7 points.

In other I-A games:

Marina (22-4) at Inglewood (18-7): The Sunset League champion Vikings face their first real test of the playoffs. Senior center Jessica Trippet leads Marina with a 15-point average and 9.9 rebounds. The Vikings are coming off an 88-41 victory over Mountain View in the first round.

Also: Perris (19-6) at Edison (14-10), Cerritos (20-7) at Huntington Beach (16-9), Arroyo Grande (14-7) at Ocean View (20-6).

In Division I-AA:

El Centro Central (18-4) at Capistrano Valley (25-1): Look for the Cougars to advance to the quarterfinals. Central might be the Desert Valleys League champion, but they’ll be no match for Capistrano Valley, seeded third in the division. Angie White and Alisa Farr lead the Cougars in scoring with averages of 14.6 and 11.8.

In Division II-A:

Fullerton (17-7) at Alemany (22-4): With Sommer McLane in high gear, Fullerton can play with virtually everyone in this division. McLane had 24 points and 17 rebounds against Kennedy in the first round Saturday. But Alemany, seeded fourth, counters with 6-2 center Sarah Guziel (12.7 points and 11.5 rebounds).

Also: Riverside Rubidoux (24-0) at El Modena (13-7), Cypress (19-4) at Redondo (15-10), Westlake Village Westlake (21-5) at Valencia (14-11), Bishop Montgomery (21-6) at Mission Viejo (12-12), Savanna (18-6) at Santa Barbara San Marcos (6-20).

In Division III-A:

Pacifica (11-12) at Costa Mesa (19-6): Olivia DiCamilli and Co. will prove too tough for Pacifica, which made the playoffs as an at-large team from the Garden Grove League. DiCamilli led the county in scoring with 22.7 points. Costa Mesa, seeded second, had a bye in the first round.

Also: Atascadero (9-13) at Rancho Alamitos (17-2), La Canada (19-8) at Rosary (8-11).

In Division IV-A:

Flintridge Sacred Heart (13-9) at Calvary Chapel (18-3): After a bye in the first round, the Arrowhead League champion Eagles figure to advance to Saturday’s quarterfinals with a victory tonight.

Also: Rosamond (15-7) at Orange Lutheran (15-7).

In Division V-AA:

Hesperia Christian (15-8) at Capistrano Valley Christian (11-13), St. Margaret’s (10-10) at Claremont Vivian Webb (10-9).

In Division V-A:

Downey Calvary Chapel (14-7) at Cal Lutheran (16-2), Liberty Christian (12-10) at San Bernardino Christian (22-0).