Familiar Name Paces San Clemente's Girls Basketball Team

It's never easy walking in the footsteps of a legend, and make no mistake, at San Clemente High -- and UCLA -- Lindsey Pluimer is just that, a hoops hall-of-famer.

But if anyone can handle it, it's Lauren Pluimer.

Playing beneath Lindsey's retired No. 15 jersey in a gym she's called home since childhood, Pluimer, a two-time All-South Coast League selection, and the Tritons' only four-year varsity player, is carving out a legacy at San Clemente with a style all her own.

And while the Tritons may not be getting quite the number of headlines they were when they were rolling out four CIF Southern Section titles in five years, they're still rocking-and-rolling on the hardwood with their unique brand of run-and-gun offense, and having a lot fun in the process.

"I moved here in second grade, and I've been in this gym forever it seems," Pluimer said. "We have an amazing program. It's been an amazing ride. You look at the banners and all the CIF championships, and, yeah, it's just crazy to play in this program."

Consistency is the key to any prolonged success, and the one constant throughout the years has been coach Mary Mulligan-Crapo, a 1981 graduate of San Clemente, who is a legend in her own right, both for her storied playing days and her unbelievable success as a coach.

Mulligan-Crapo was winning South Coast League titles before Lindsey started playing, and the program's streak of 13 straight league championships is still alive now that Lauren is the all-league performer.

But despite the fact that San Clemente is a veteran group -- there are seven seniors on the roster -- victories haven't been easy to come by this season.

Losses to University, Tesoro and Huntington Beach, and a close win over Aliso Niguel have made it apparent that the Tritons are going to have to work as hard as ever to keep the league-championship streak alive. (San Clemente tied Dana Hills for the title last season.)

"We have to work hard. We're not a team that can just walk into the gym expecting an easy one. We have to work hard every game," Pluimer said. "We have to push ourselves to be better, but we have the potential to be really good."

Pluimer's game is a rare one indeed. Blessed with a nose for finding the ball down low, she is averaging 12 rebounds a night to complement one of the sweetest long-range strokes in South Orange County.

"Lauren is consistent," Mulligan-Crapo said. "It's nice to have a player with so many tools, but it's also important to know that I can rely on her. From game to game, it's her consistency that stands out."

Because San Clemente runs an up-tempo offense that gets to the glass in a hurry, most of the Tritons are expert ball-handlers, including senior captains Lindsay Klonowski and Hailey Cunningham. Pluimer can run the point, as well as sophomore Brogan Griffin, whose recent insertion into the starting lineup has provided a spark.

Senior Allie D'Agostino provides a great deal of intangibles with her hustle and heady play, and fellow senior Sierra Blankenbecler is a talented post presence who, when teamed with Pluimer, makes it nearly impossible for opposing teams to rack up offensive rebounds.

Unlike in the past, however, there are no superstars on San Clemente's roster, and the chemistry the Tritons can produce through team-oriented basketball will be the biggest factor in determining their success this season.

"Sometimes it's more fun to have a team with great chemistry than to have a team that just beats up everybody," Mulligan-Crapo said. "I really enjoy this group and being around these players. We're having a lot of fun."

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San Clemente's remaining 2010-11 regular-season schedule:

Dec. 27-30 -- Costa Mesa Tournament

Jan. 4 -- at Dana Hills*

Jan. 6 -- hosts El Toro*

Jan. 8 -- at Tesoro

Jan. 11 -- hosts Mission Viejo*

Jan. 15 -- hosts West Hills

Jan. 18 -- hosts Laguna Hills*

Jan. 20 -- hosts Dana Hills*

Jan. 22 -- at Godinez

Jan. 24 -- at El Toro*

Feb. 3 -- hosts Mission Viejo*

Feb. 5 -- at Woodbridge

Feb. 9 -- at Laguna Hills*

* South Coast League games