From the moment she picked up a basketball at the age of five, Bailey Hape has been a leader in the making. Now a junior standout for Evansville Reitz, Hape is demonstrating exactly what it takes to excel both on and off the court. Averaging 16.4 points per game this season, her leadership and work ethic have helped the Lady Panthers to a stellar 13-2 record and positioned them as contenders for their first sectional title since 1990.
Hape’s commitment to her craft extends far beyond regular practices. “One of the biggest things that has helped me is the amount of extra work I put in outside of practice,” Hape shared. “Basketball has been a year-round commitment for me, and playing with and against talented players from all over has helped me develop my game. I’ve been very fortunate to be coached well at all levels.”
Her dedication is evident on the court. Earlier this season, Hape scored a game-high 19 points in a key win over Evansville North and capped 2024 with a 28-point performance to lead Reitz to victory. As the team aims for postseason success, Hape believes confidence and teamwork will be critical.
“Staying confident is key because I believe our Reitz team has a great chance to win a sectional title this year,” Hape said. “Our team will need to keep working hard and supporting each other to reach that goal.”
Hape’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. The 5-10 guard has received interest from colleges across multiple levels and recently earned an offer from Taylor University. Reflecting on her recruiting journey, Hape expressed excitement about the opportunities ahead. “The recruiting process is exciting and has helped me see what playing in college could be like. It’s been great to visit campuses and determine what will be the best fit for me as a student-athlete.”
As the Lady Panthers prepare for the second half of their season, Hape remains focused on leading her team to history. “We aren’t done yet,” she said. “We’ll keep working, enjoy each moment, and fight to bring a sectional championship back to Reitz.”
Hape and the Lady Panthers will resume their quest this Saturday with a road matchup against Heritage Hills. With her leadership and talent, Bailey Hape is determined to make this a season to remember for Evansville Reitz.