AOTW: New Hampshire-bound Duffey savors moment of state championship run
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
EAST LANSING — When Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes girls basketball program walked off the court at Michigan State University’s Breslin Center Saturday afternoon, several individuals involved enjoyed the special moments.
While the Lakers celebrated its rare third straight Class D girls basketball title, it was a once-in-a-lifetime situation for one senior at the school and perhaps no one was more thrilled than Tori Duffey.
The whole school, parish and even the Catholic High School League enjoyed the special moment of being only the sixth school in the history of the MHSAA state tournament to win three straight crowns and Duffey was a key cog in her only season at the school.
It was the first state title for the 5-foot-8 Duffey in her life, as her former school, Walled Lake Cetntral, last played in the state title game in Class A back in 1995 and finished as the state runner-up.
“Ever since I came here, playing for a state championship was a goal,” said Duffey, one of four Lakers to earn Associated Press All-State honors this year in Class D. “This is incredible just being part of a team (getting to the finals).”
Duffey transferred from Walled Lake Central after last season. She cited some off-the-court issues for leaving her formal school. With her parents being able to afford the tuition and Waterford only a short 20-minte drive from the Walled Lake area, Duffey was able to make the late switch.
And while most student-athletes will that need a switch wil do so between eighth and ninth grade or early in her their high school academics and athletics careers, Dufey’s switch was a rare one — and a decision that turned out to have greener pastures on the other side.
“I needed a fresh start,” said Duffey after a mid-season win over Marine City Cardinal Mooney. “I am glad I did it.”
Duffey was already friends with some of Lakes’ players growing up in travel leagues and on the AAU circuit. It was a smooth transfer, as Duffey replaced former all-stater Lauren Robak in the starting lineup and was an instant hit.
Duffey committed last year to Division I University of New Hampshire, a member of the America East Conference, and signed in November.
“I don’t have to worry about the recruiting. I can just concentrate on playing now.”
Duffey, an all KLAA-North Division player the past three years at Walled Lake Central, averaged 11.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.2 steals a game all while shooting 69.5 percent from the foul line and 28.3 percent from three-point range. She scored 13 points with five steals in Lakes’ 53-37 victory over Athens in the state finals.
But she also departs as a one-year wonder, playing only a year at Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes…and what a hit she was in her new digs.
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Category: BWW Athlete of the Week, Featured Articles, High School, High School (M-Z), Most Recently Updated Stories, Prep Wraps, Top Stories, Uncategorized, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes
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