It’s been a magical journey from youth ball to Division I college basketball for Shay Shippen and Brianne Bailey

Sometimes you just know.

Imagine being in elementary school and already knowing your path, your passion, and the future you want to pursue.

“I’ve known since probably fifth grade,” Skyline’s Shay Shippen said of wanting to play basketball in college. “I didn’t understand what D1 basketball was, but I knew I wanted to play after high school. We both had those goals.”

Over in the Upper Valley, Brianne Bailey also had the passion.

Both Shippen and Bailey grew up in a basketball household – both of their moms played at Ricks College – so they started playing at a young age and became friends.

They played together on the Idaho Magic club team prior to high school.

“I looked up to Shay so much,” Bailey said. “I wanted to be like Shay … She was just a shooter, a leader, she was super patient at a young age. She knew how to score.”

While the two eventually played on different travel teams as they got older, Bailey said she and Shippen talked about their futures as both developed into standout players.

“I knew that Shay wanted to play in college and I thought ‘How cool would that be to play in college?’” Bailey said.

Even before entering high school, Shippen at Skyline and Bailey at South Fremont where her mom Brooke coached, the path seemed set as Shippen played on a travel team based out of Seattle that was brutally competitive. Bailey played on Idaho-based teams.

During the winter both thrived at the high school level. Shippen is a three-time first-team All-State selection and has led the Grizzlies to the state tournament. Bailey is an All-State first-teamer for South Fremont.

Recruiters took notice as both became among the top players in Idaho and started to generate attention.

College recruiting can be a whirlwind adventure while also being stressfully hectic.

Bailey visited Weber State, Oregon State, Wyoming, Grand Canyon and Montana State.

Shippen received about 30 offers from various colleges across the country. She made official visits to Columbia in New York, and Pepperdine in California.

“It was a little overwhelming at first,” Bailey said of the recruiting process.

Despite the weight of having to choose their basketball future, Shippen and Bailey got the opportunity to have some fun this summer. They finally had the chance to play together again when they teamed up on Seattle-based team FBC United and competed against some of the top players and teams across the country.

“It was so much fun,” Shippen said. “I love Brianne. She is super competitive.”

“It was just a blast,” Bailey said of playing on the AAU circuit and the intense level of competition.

Brooke Bailey, Brianne’s mom and South Fremont coach, said several high-profile Division 1 coaches and recruiters showed up for the weekly tournaments, including UConn’s legendary coach Geno Auriemma.

The team played about four or five games every weekend during the summer and traveled to Indiana, Ohio, California, Pennsylvania, Arizona and also played tournaments in Washington.

They ended up finishing in the Elite 8 at the national tournament.

Now Shippen and Bailey lead their high school teams into the new season with high expectations.

And those early dreams of playing Division I college basketball?

Shippen recently signed her letter of intent to play in the Ivy League at Columbia University.

Bailey signed to play at Montana State.

Both said they’re happy not to have to deal with recruiting pressure and are looking forward to enjoying their respective senior seasons.

“We grew up playing together and we both had those dreams at such a young age to go play college basketball,” Shippen said. “To see our growth and both of us achieving our goals is just super cool.”

“I’m excited,” Bailey said. “It will be a little emotional, my last year in high school with my mom and my teammates … It’s going to be bittersweet.”

From the Magic to the Bobcats and Lions. Sometimes those dreams do come true.

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