Horace Mann鈥檚 Bailey Dehnel tries to get stronger with each possession
WAUSAU, Wis. — For Bailey Dehnel, basketball is more than a game, it鈥檚 a test of mindset, a lesson in resilience and a place where teamwork truly comes to life.
An eighth grader at Horace Mann Middle School, Bailey is a true multi-sport athlete, competing in basketball, volleyball and softball. With five years on the basketball court, she plays for Wausau East Travel Basketball and Horace Mann Basketball (8A), while also contributing to MVP Club Volleyball, Horace Mann Volleyball (8A White), and Post 10 Patriots Softball.
No matter the season, Bailey brings energy, dedication and a desire to grow.
At the heart of her athletic journey is one clear goal, to continue to build her confidence.
鈥淐onfidence makes or breaks a player,鈥� said Bailey.
She鈥檚 learned this firsthand, recognizing how easy it can be to let one mistake impact an entire game. Instead of letting those moments define her, she鈥檚 working to strengthen her mindset, choosing to move forward rather than dwell on the past.
That same mindset shows up when facing one of her biggest challenges, communication on the court. While her team does a strong job supporting one another, Bailey understands that emotions can run high in competitive moments. Her approach is simple. She tries to reset, encourage and focus herself on the next play.
What makes basketball especially meaningful for Bailey is the bond she shares with her teammates. Having played alongside many of them since elementary school, the connection runs deep.
鈥淣othing compares to this team,鈥� said Bailey. 鈥淲e all have such a strong bond together.鈥�
It鈥檚 a reminder that success in sports isn鈥檛 just about performance, it鈥檚 about friendship.
Before every game, Bailey takes a quiet moment to pray, for safety and to perform her best, grounding herself before stepping onto the court. Off the court, her schedule stays full, but when she finds free time, she enjoys relaxing at home and spending time with friends.
Bailey鈥檚 journey hasn鈥檛 been without its challenges. At one point, she even considered stepping away from basketball altogether. But encouragement from her coaches changed everything.
“Basketball is a very mentally challenging sport, and I was planning to quit before the school season started because I was underperforming,” said Bailey. “So, I brought the idea up to my seventh grade coach, Mrs. Johnson, and she said that I was a talented player, and how she would hate to see me leave.”
“I gave it a chance for the first week of practice, and decided to stick with it,” said Bailey. “A few weeks later, we were doing a drill and my current coach Mr. Meyer complimented me and said that I have greatly improved since we started practicing.”
Both of these comments meant a lot to Bailey and she is very grateful for her coaches.
鈥淚鈥檓 very glad I didn鈥檛 quit,鈥� said Bailey. 鈥淚t has been such an amazing season.鈥�
That resilience was on full display during a tough game against Rhinelander. Frustrated by missed shots and defensive mistakes, Bailey could have let the moment spiral. Instead, she listened to her coach, took a breath, refocused and returned to the game ready to compete.
Through it all, Bailey carries the lessons that matter most. Stay positive and keep going when it鈥檚 hard. Also, trust that growth comes with effort.
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