Adrian Chambers will share his remarkable and unlikely journey.

We also have feature stories on two dynamic high school stars in our Alumni Avenue segment highlights a Pensacola product that is shining in the NFL.

We start with the area's top basketball prospect, Shamaya Francis is a superstar for Booker T Washington and ranked among the nation's best high school players.

Her talent and determination will wow you, but Samir's basketball journey got off to a bit of a humbling start.

Both of her parents played college basketball.

A Shamaya Francis didn't have much interest in the sport as a youngster until some curiosity was piqued when she was 11.

I went to one of my brother's rec ball games at Cobb Center one time.

And then I just didn't know what the calls were that the refs were making for my brother's game, and I wanted to learn how to watch the game, like how to know what to wear when the Reds start calling it.

So I was like, you know, I'm going to try out so I can learn the game.

Her first practice for is and she was like, she didn't know what a layup were.

She didn't know anything.

Everybody was like, wow, she she doesn't know anything.

But I could tell by her work ethic she's going to be something with her.

Size and skills quickly made her a force, and within a few years, she took the high school level by storm at Washington.

The passion and inner drive always remaining a catalyst for her success.

She is a workaholic, not only on the court where in the weight room where she work, just conditioning.

She's being heard.

Her work ethic is unmatched.

After a stellar freshman season averaging double digit points and rebounds, Shamaya tested herself on an elite AEW national circuit.

It was an awakening that there was a lot more work to do.

I already had the skill, but if you can't produce at a high level even when you're tired, then it is.

You're not going to last that next level.

And I realized that my first game into in AEW, when I came back from playing, I really trained doing like conditioning and stuff like that so I can get my mobility better.

She's developed into an elite prospect, ranked top 25 in the nation for the 2026 class.

Six foot three and versatile goes a long way.

Six three can be a guard for women's basketball, or it could be a post player, but she fits into both of those boxes.

She can handle it.

She can shoot it, she can post up.

So at six three, I think she has set the standard for girls basketball right now in an area of what size can do.

With a target on her back?

Getting double teamed and triple teamed has become the norm, and she handles it like a champ.

She's seen every type of defense possible.

And she doesn't allow it.

Frustrated.

She's so unselfish.

She's always looking.

You know how can I be a better teammate?

How can I make others around me better?

I'm so used to having 2 to 3 people, he at a time.

So I'm, like, always looking for somebody else.

That.

So then when I get those moments a one on one, I'm normally rushing or trying to do too much too quick or just not looking for anybody else at all.

So I feel like me just being poise, that's my worry for the year.

Poised because I need to if I'm poised.

I played this.

At last count.

Shamaya had 43 Division one college offers, including most of the nation's top programs.

The recruiting attention can be very intense.

Some points I was trying to be like, a people pleaser.

So calling people every day, calling every school, and I just learn to, you know, slot people in the slots.

But at the same time, I'm grateful because a lot of people wish they could be where I am.

The way that I got over the frustration is just being grateful that I'm in the position, because she's just one of the most genuine young ladies I've ever been around, and she's an amazing person.

Just sweetest can be this tall.

She's just a real super gentle giant, but she's very genuine and I don't think there's anything fake about her.

Very real, down to earth and just she's a joy to be around.

As if her basketball prowess isn't enough.

Shamaya is also a very talented singer.

She's starting to tap into the possibilities.

Yes, we really need you, but I'm still pretty shy.

But I'm just now getting over it because I pushed myself out of my comfort zone to perform in front of people, and I feel the that's a big thing.

People want to see what else you can do other than being on the court.

And I feel like I got a true gift, so I'm used.

She's the total package in so many ways, and no matter what college offer, she ends up taking the potential.

It's clear I.

Think she'll be a pro.

I think she'll continue to grow wherever she's at.

She's going to play.

And I think eventually she she may be our next Pensacola professional women's basketball player.

Another one of the area's top high school athletes is a young lady playing a sport not traditionally available to women.

What started as youthful curiosity has turned into maximizing new possibilities for pieces.

Amaya Pablo has an eight year old Amaya.

Pablo watched her younger brother play tackle football and she wanted it.

I love the game.

I would go to every single one of these games.

I would, I would run with them at practice.

I would do everything with them, so that really got me interested.

She asked to play and I told her if she, she has to commit 100% and I would allow her to.

And that's what she did.

She was forever grateful.

At first it was very hard.