Family, friends and supporters of the Lady Dukes’ field hockey team filled the Gloucester High School auditorium last Thursday night as members of last year’s team—winners of the VHSL Class 4 state title—received their state championship rings. GHS principal Ade Brayboy served as master of ceremonies, with the program beginning with team member JoJo Williams performing an a cappella version of Queen’s “We Are the Champions,” dedicated to the team and coaches. “Tonight is all about you, ladies,” Brayboy said to the assembled team members. The path to the state championship began the day after Nov. 15, 2024, the day when Lady Dukes fell to that year’s eventual state champions from Loudon Valley in the state semifinals, said coach Joe Dougherty. It was a difficult challenge for the squad, Dougherty said, losing 10 seniors and six starters. “Most programs can’t recover from that,” he said. But when over 50 girls showed up for tryouts the following fall, Dougherty saw that he had the possib...