South Ripley senior wears #22 in honor of Lauren Hill

(VERSAILLES, Ind.) – A South Ripley basketball standout never wants the legacy of Lauren Hill to be forgotten. 

Lauren Hill was a Lawrenceburg graduate who was recruited by Mount St. Joseph to play basketball shortly before being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. 

Her “Never Give Up” attitude inspired people across the world while she raised over $1 million for pediatric cancer research. 

South Ripley senior Kaiya Rinear never met Lauren or her family. She was just 8-years-old when Hill passed away in 2015. 

Rinear first learned about Lauren while watching a documentary when she was in eighth grade. 

She recalls immediately feeling inspired by Hill and felt that her story deserves to continue to be told. 

“The way Lauren persevered through it all and still had such a love of basketball that even her tumor and the challenges she was facing didn’t stop her from wanting to play the game,” Rinear said. 

Rinear decided the way she would honor Lauren is by wearing her #22 jersey for the rest of her basketball career. 

Kaiya wore #22 while she attended Milan her freshman and sophomore year. She transferred to South Ripley where the number wasn't available last year due to the old jerseys they had.

“Our team was getting new jerseys this year and I said even if I have to order it separately I really want to wear her number,” Rinear said. 

Rinear is back in #22 this season and recently reached a career milestone of 1,000 points while wearing Lauren’s number. 

“Although I never met her in person or met her parents, I feel strongly about spreading her story,” Rinear said. 

“I hope nobody forgets Lauren and that I can help keep her memory alive,” she added

We met up with Rinear on Saturday night before her game against Batesville. Here is what happened on the same night:

Oh and by the way, the game was played on November 22.

Rinear hopes to continue her basketball career in college and has received one offer but hoping for more.

She also plans to pursue a career in occupational therapy because she loves working with children.