Makayla Brewer figured her basketball-playing days were over. She finished her senior season at Franklin, culminating a career in the sport that she began playing competitively in kindergarten.
“I kind of lost my passion for it, honestly,” Brewer said.
She planned on attending community college and didn’t pursue playing college hoops.
But multiple coaches reached out to her, which opened her mind and caused her to reconsider.
It came down to two colleges who wanted Brewer to join their program. She compared the two, and ultimately chose to accept an offer from Brevard College.
Tornadoes coach Donald Hudson complimented Brewer’s toughness and skill set, mentioning her ability to rebound in traffic and finish with both hands around the basket.
“Although she is a tremendous player, I’m more intrigued by the person she is,” Hudson said. “It did not take long for me to realize that she is a high-character kid that will help take our culture and chemistry in the right direction.”
Brewer appreciated what Hudson said during his recruitment.
“He said, ‘You can always try it out. If it’s not for you, then I’m not gonna be mad at you. You can just not play the next year and that will be perfectly OK with me.’ I was like, ‘That’s so nice,’” Brewer said.
Brewer transferred to Franklin from McDowell before her junior season.
Canaan Drake played with Brewer the past two seasons, and they become very close friends.
“She is a great teammate,” Drake said. “She lifts everyone up, and is one of the first to high five a teammate after a great play. She works so hard and doesn’t complain.”
Off the court, Brewer is very fun to be around.
“She is hilarious and can always make people smile,” Drake said. “She is always there for my teammates and myself, even when it isn’t her responsibility, and is an amazing all-around person.”
Brewer is a quiet leader who might not say much, but certainly leads by example.
FHS assistant coach Tres Rogers said she exudes a presence at practice and in games.
“She is just steady as a rock and her teammates respect and respond to her,” Rogers said.
“She is a wonderful player but an even better person. I’m super proud of her and happy that she is going to play at Brevard.”
Blair King, assistant principal and athletic director at FHS, said three words come to mind when he thinks about Brewer: class, intelligence and grit.
“All of that makes an incredible student-athlete,” King said. “Brevard is getting a steal with her and she will not be easy to replace. She gave her all for Franklin the past two years and did it with the upmost humility and humbleness. Not one to take credit but one to always compliment her teammates.”
Brewer stood out on the court at a very young age.
She started playing basketball when she was in kindergarten for a Christian youth program called Upward. Her family moved from Clay County to McDowell County, where she dominated for a season.
“They told me I couldn’t steal the ball anymore because I kept beating all of the teams,” Brewer said.
That’s when she switched to playing school ball.
Brewer earned all-conference honors at McDowell as a sophomore. She again earned all-conference honors as a senior, averaging 7.8 points (although that number inflated to 9.8 against Mountain Six Conference teams) and 7.9 rebounds per game.
FHS coach Scott Hartbarger called Brewer a crucial player to the Panthers success the past two years. They won the MSC tournament in 2019 and the MSC regular season crown in 2020.
Brewer missed seven games her junior year because of a concussion, and the Panthers struggled without her on the floor to help break traps and full-court presses. Hartbarger said Brewer’s calmness on the floor is one of her greatest attributes.
“She never gets rattled; she never changes expressions,” Hartbarger said. “For us, and on the next level, she can do so many things. She can play inside; she can play outside. She can handle the ball. I think she’ll be a great fit and a great addition to Brevard’s basketball program.”
Brewer said that calmness comes partially from her personality, but also through experience.
“I’ve learned not to freak out,” she said. “If stuff’s out of control, then I would like the ball in my hands because I’m chill a little bit and I know how to make plays and get somebody open. If somebody else has a better shot than me, then I’m gonna give it up. I would rather pass it to somebody than shoot it myself.”
But she can also hit the big shot if necessary.
The Panthers trailed Highlands by one in the final seconds of the Christmas tournament. Brewer threw the inbounds pass to Sydney Williams, then cut to the basket. She was wide open, and Williams dished it back to Brewer for the game-winning layup.
“That was pretty nice,” Brewer said.
Brewer loves children and plans on majoring in elementary education.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, she was taking two college classes and a pottery class.
“I miss pottery class because that was fun,” she said.
The extra free time the past couple months has allowed her to start a flower garden. She’s also been busy painting. As part of a church function, she painted 35 flower pots that were given away for Mother’s Day.
Brewer is the daughter of Leslie and Eddie Brewer. She thanked her parents “for pushing me and for always trying to find the best in me, even if someone else doesn’t.”
She also thanked Hartbarger and Rogers for helping her train and improve on the court, and Rogers for always being there for her emotionally.
“We are definitely going to miss her next year,” Rogers said. “I know I’m going to miss her, but I’m so happy for her and look forward to watching her play for the Tornadoes next year.”
One reason Brewer chose Brevard is because it’s a small college. Hartbarger called it a great fit and is thrilled to see her continue her career.
“I think she’ll be happy there,” Hartbarger said. “She’ll fit right in and have a good career there.”