The Gloucester High School varsity girls’ basketball team had a strong start to the season, picking up two wins and losing one this past week in conference game play.

The Lady Dukes defeated Kecoughtan, 43-18, at the Warriors’ court on Nov. 28. Autumn Cookson was the top scorer for Gloucester with 21 points, followed by Aaliyah Smith-Boone with eight points, Rylie Williams with seven, Alexis Dishman with three and Rylee Amaral and Bailey Wilson with two points each.

Smith-Boone led in rebounds for Gloucester with a total of 12, followed by Rylie Williams with seven, Wilson with five and Alesha Williams, Amaral, Dishman, Cookson and Avery Watkins with two each. In assists, Amaral had four and Alesha Williams, Cookson and Watkins had two each.

Leading the way in steals was Amaral with six, followed by Alesha Williams and Cookson with three each, Rylie Williams and Smith-Boone with two each and Dishman and Watkins with one apiece. Smith-Boone also had one recorded block.

The Lady Dukes did not fare as well Tuesday night as they hosted Hampton at home, falling to the Crabbers, 77-10. Alesha Williams was the top scorer for Gloucester with four points, followed by Amaral with three points, Cookson with two points and Rylie Williams with one point.

Dishman and Wilson led Gloucester in rebounds with five each, followed by Amaral, Watkins and Rylie Williams with three each and Cookson with one. Alesha Williams had the most steals for the Lady Dukes with four, followed by Amaral with two and Wilson and Watkins with one apiece. Rylie Williams also had one recorded block.
Tuesday night, the Lady Dukes overcame their Thursday-night setback by defeating Denbigh, 34-24, at home. Cookson was the top scorer Tuesday with 23 points. Amaral and Wilson also made the scoreboard with six and four points, respectively.

Amaral had the most rebounds with seven, followed by Alesha Williams, Cookson and Wilson with six each, Rylie Williams with five, Dishman with two and Watkins with one. Alesha Williams had four assists, Cookson had two and Kate Vannoy and Wilson had one apiece. In steals, Amaral had the most with nine, followed by Cookson with five, Williams with three and Wilson, Watkins and Rylie Williams with one each. Rylie Williams also had two blocks.

The Lady Dukes are coached by Christina Deyoung. Returning players this season are sophomores Amaral, Dishman and Hannah Horsley, junior Alesha Williams and senior Rylie Williams. New players to varsity include senior Watkins, junior Wilson and freshman Cookson. JV freshman players Smith-Boone, Vannoy and Madelyn Rowe will also be playing some games with the varsity team this season.

Gloucester will travel to Warwick High School tonight to face the Lady Raiders.