BY DAVID FOLSE II

Sports Editor

RESERVE-In what can only be billed as a “rebuilding” year for the power East St. John girl’s basketball program, the Lady Wildcats still racked up the post-season awards.

Randi Donald and Gaynelle Brown were named to the all 6-5A squad, while senior guard Nikkita Hutchinson was also named Defensive MVP of the district for the fourth consecutive season.

“It was a young team that had to fight through losing four starters early,” Lady Wildcats Head Coach Troy Giordano said. “Nikkita came back and showed how gutsy she was fighting through an injury. She didn’t have to play at all. She wore a back brace so she can finish the year on the court. That is the type of team that they were.

“They came together and won some games late and were able to make it to the playoffs. I just don’t know if we were able to recover not having everyone that long. It was a very gutsy team and they are deserving of whatever individual accolades come there way.”

While coaches remember the championship teams and the teams that went deep into the playoffs, Giordano said he will always remember the never-say-die attitude of the 2004-05 Lady Wildcats.

“They always were fighting back,” Giordano said. “They could have tanked it earlier in the year and they didn’t do that. That is the kind of team that you remember. It was a very unique season.

“Unfortunately, you remember not winning as much as you do winning. It’s human nature.”