Haverford’s (13) Tess Durfee looks to pass during the Central League championship game Feb. 15. (PETE BANNAN-DAILY TIMES)
By Matt Smith
When Tess Durfee is called into action, she makes every second count.
As Haverford’s unsung hero, the senior is the embodiment of what is known in basketball parlance as “the sixth man.” Few players in District 1 have done it better than Durfee this season.
If there’s a rebound to be grabbed, Durfee attacks it with ferocity. If there’s a loose ball to be covered, rest assured Durfee will dive on the floor, throwing caution to the wind. She is an excellent passer and rebounder but her hallmark attribute is lockdown defense. And if needed to score every now and then, she’ll oblige.
Indeed, Durfee does many things that do not appear in a basketball scorebook. She brings energy, oftentimes arousing the loudest cheers with her positive play at critical junctures during the Fords’ home playoff games. Durfee was a difference maker again Wednesday, helping Haverford to a 53-42 victory over Central Bucks East in a District 1 Class 6A playback.
Durfee faceguarded C.B. East sniper Anna Barry, who seemed to have her way when Durfee was not on the floor. Barry accounted for four of the Patriots’ 11 3-point shots and finished with 18 points.
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