Bailey ready for one final run with Red Devils

Everyone in the Tippecanoe basketball program remembers how last season ended. A tough loss to Franklin in the second round of the postseason. A game that CJ Bailey struggled to play at his best while dealing with injuries that drastically slowed his game. Now months later, Bailey is gearing up for what he hopes will be his best season yet, and a long tournament run for the Red Devils. “Last year we lived up to expectations. But I don’t think we raised expectations how we played,” he said. “I thought we deserved to win the MVL, so I was happy with that, but I went down with an injury the last game of the year. Our team won the first playoff game. I tried to come back and play through the Franklin game, but I was not what I usually am. The team tried, but we struggled, didn’t shoot well, and it was an early playoff exit.”

Now in 2025, the Red Devils have much higher expectations of just winning the league. It is time for a deep tournament run for a team with some experience back. “We have four key players back, including two starters, this year. The Franklin game fuels us for next season,” he said. “This year, from all my years, this is the most bought-in team for this coming year. More kids are excited about basketball, and I can’t wait to get back on the court.”

While Tipp is the early favorite to repeat again for the league title, Bailey knows this summer is huge for the team to connect and spend the time to grow the camaraderie together. “We are going to continue to buy-in. This summer we have bonded more than we have in the past,” he said. “Where we have had just juniors and seniors bonding, this year we have freshmen out with us and are all bonding together.” “We are going to have to win our rivalry games and play as a team and connect.”

For Bailey, it is his time to shine in front of the right people. With plans to play at the next level, the defending MVL Player of the Year is using the next couple of months to continue to improve and work toward that dream. “Coach Moon and I are still figuring out what I want to do and who to talk to as far as colleges,” he said. “To get there, I want to continue to work on my craft. We are going (last weekend) to Kentucky for their live event. Then going to Cedar Point for the Ohio live period event this weekend and hopefully get some interest there and maybe even get an offer.” “We feel like that is going to be better for me than AAU because this is structured basketball and this is what coaches really want to see.” Bailey knows to get ready for the next level, he has to work on strength and his leadership skills on the floor, which he plans to improve on this coming season.