Makayala Witthaus has waited patiently for her chance.

After months away from the competitive landscape due to a broken hand during softball, Witthaus announced her presence with authority for the Warrenton girls' basketball team on Nov. 24.

After averaging 7.6 points and 6.1 rebounds last season, she opened the 2025-26 campaign with 13 points and a robust 17 rebounds in a win over Hallsville.

The result marked the third time in the last two seasons with a double-double for Warrenton. Last year, she recorded 11 points and 23 rebounds in a win over Southern Boone.

For her part, Witthaus said the reward made the grind of recovery all the better for being back in competition.

“After all the PT (physical therapy), this feels great, it’s definitely been worth the wait,” Witthaus said. “To get 17 rebounds? That wasn’t just me. Everybody boxed out and crashed the boards. We all played as a unit, instead of as individuals. It shows what we’re capable of doing this year.”

Fellow senior Savannah Miller said that watching Witthaus, who is competing in her third season with the Warriors on the varsity level, work as hard as she has to get back to helping the basketball team succeed has been nothing short of inspiring.

Miller feels the work ethic shown by Witthaus should be an inspiration to everyone around her.

“Makayla showed us just how much she wants to play the game and to be there for us,” Miller said. “She’s such an important part of the team in how we simply run plays, how we run our defense. She means a lot to what we’re trying to do.”

Witthaus, who has signed to play collegiate softball at Maryville University, said that, right now, playing for the Saints is one of the furthest things from her mind.

She’s currently focused on helping her team outperform last season's 13-14 finish.

“It was tough at the end of the softball season,” Witthaus said. “I felt like I was going through the motions (of watching others). It really seemed like basketball was never going to get here. I’m really excited for what’s going on now, though. I’m here and everybody is giving it their all. Everyone wants so badly to compete and to do it for each other. This is exciting. The environment here is incredible.”

Warrenton coach Hannah Logan paid Witthaus quite the compliment, both for who she is and how she approaches any game she plays.

The coach said that any shortcomings Witthaus may face can be overcome by sheer force of will.

“She’s been very beastly inside,” Logan said. “The height isn’t really there for her but she can hold her own against anybody because that’s what she’s going to do. They (her will and work ethic) are incredible. She’s just not going to let anything stand in her way.”