LAPLACE — The challenge has never been greater for East St. John girls basketball coach Troy Giordano, and his East St. John Lady Wildcats.

With eight consecutive district championships under their belt, the Lady Wildcats have started the 2004-2005 season under great duress.

With three starters out with injuries, including his top point guard Nakita Hutchinson, who has already signed with major Division I college Houston, Giordano has seen his club stumble off to a 3-8 start.

And with the district 6-5A season only a few weeks away, Giordano knows that his club faces a major challenge not only winning another district title, but to just continue their string of playoff appearances.

“Not only am I concerned about our team due to the continuity we won’t have even when all the girls come back, but our conditioning will also be off,” he said. “But I still believe in these girls and our team. Part of our losses lately have also been because we play a tough non-district schedule that puts us against teams that are as good, if not better, than everyone we will play in district.”

Most recently, the team lost to Hammond 65-56 earlier this week for their eighth loss in a row after a 3-0 season start. Just before that, the club barely lost a 41-38 game to Mt. Carmel.

Against Hammond, the club found themselves down 33-15 in the first half and made a good second half run, but couldn’t catch up.

A bright spot for the club has been the play of sophomore point guard Randi Donald, who had another big game with 20 points.

Then against Mt. Carmel, she scored 11 to lead the way again.

The team has been boosted by the return, if only part-time, of Hutchinson.

She played sparingly in both games and scored eight against Mt. Carmel and 10 against Hammond.

“I am trying to ease her back in,” Giordano said, noting the severely strained back muscle she has been nursing. “When she comes back I have Randi and Nakita both in guard positions, and they are both great shooters.”

Not only is Giordano facing a challenge to get the club in the playoffs, but he has never missed a 20-win season in his coaching history.

“We have 16 district games, so we’ve got to start winning soon,” he said. “But like I said, I still believe in these girls.”