Future coach Makayla Adams brings everything together for Andrew. ‘We’re better when ‘Mak’ is on the floor.’

Makayla Adams is the answer to a lot of problems for the Andrew girls basketball team.

Her given position is small forward, but the 5-foot-7 senior is versatile enough to shadow a shooting guard or even put herself up against a much taller post player.

According to coach Bobby Matz, Adams is the kind of player every team wants to have.

“I couldn’t tell you she’s great at anything, but she’s good at a lot of things,” Matz said. “She’s really good on defense. It’s the ball pressure. It’s the deflection on passes.

“When you try to pass around ‘Mak,’ she’s versatile on where she rotates in our defense. When she’s guarding someone man to man, she does a great job.”

Adams’ numbers are solid for Andrew (9-9). She’s averaging 6.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 1.5 assists. But keep in mind, she’s usually doing multiple things, sometimes simultaneously, which opens opportunities for players like senior center Mikayla Summey.

In sixth grade, Adams began in the Junior Thunderbolts feeder program, which was in its second year. Like a lot of kids, she wanted to get better but also make friends. Although she played soccer and volleyball, there was just something about the sport that was special.

“I fell in love with basketball,” she said. “I felt that was going to get me somewhere and I felt confident playing it.”

Stagg’s Abbey Hobart (14) drives to the basket as Andrew’s Makayla Adams (5) defends during a SouthWest Suburban Red game in Tinley Park on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. (James C. Svehla/Daily Southtown)

That ultimately proved to be a good decision, especially for Matz. He brought up Adams as a sophomore to be a wing player and complement a strong post game, and she stuck around.

“You notice ‘Mak’ in the program when you watch practice and watch drills,” he said. “When I asked the freshman coaches, ‘Who’s making an impact,’ they said, ‘We’re better when ‘Mak’ is on the floor.’”

It’s not only other coaches in the program. Opposing coaches say things like, “Wow, Adams gives you so much,” Matz pointed out.

The thing about Adams is basketball will play a distinct role in her future as wekk.

She’s not planning to play in college, but she wants to study physical education at a school to be determined, with the desire that she will coach someday.

Sandburg’s Josie Canellis (5) looks to get past Andrew’s Makayla Adams (15) during a SouthWest Suburban Conference crossover game on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

What is she learning from Matz in that realm? Lots.

“Just being positive,” she said. “Just working really hard, giving the best opportunities we can to everyone on the team and just being open to a lot. Being ready for anything.”

As a senior, Adams has wanted to focus on leadership of a team that suits up three sophomores — Ana Cisek, Nawal Kaleel and Katerina Berchos — because she’s been there.

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“I don’t want people feeling down or not feel that their part of the team because I had that experience,” Adams said. “I just try to make everyone feel happy and love the sport that they have and not fall out of it like others can.”

Summey said Adams is a solid leader because she is not only a well-rounded player but also keeps the team focused and takes control when necessary.

Lincoln-Way West’s Ava Gugliuzza (5) tries to steal the ball from Andrew’s Makayla Adams (15) during a SouthWest Suburban Red game in Tinley Park on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

That all sounds like a good coach, if you think about it.

Summey knows all about Adams’ evolution as a player. She played with her for the Junior Thunderbolts and also at Grissom Middle School along with senior forward Diamonique Gore.

“I think just every year, you can see how well she has improved,” Summey said. “She’s always had the same kind of role. She knows she can play just about any position and run the court well.

“She’s just a great role model for everyone else, I think.”

Gregg Voss is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.