Stories by Brian Lester
Stories by Brian Lester
Raider baseball team confident coming off preseason success
February 9, 2026
As the Navarre Raider baseball team added another run on the board in a preseason game against Fort Walton Beach last week, the mood in the dugout was upbeat as ever.
These Raiders are driven to succeed and there is an air of confidence and excitement surrounding them in 2026.
These Raiders are driven to succeed and there is an air of confidence and excitement surrounding them in 2026.
Regional tourney play ahead for a few area girls basketball teams
February 9, 2026
Postseason girls basketball gets underway this weekend, and a handful of area teams will be in action.
Navarre, Jay and L.E.A.D. Academy are all headed to the regional tournament.
Navarre, Jay and L.E.A.D. Academy are all headed to the regional tournament.
Rachel Leggett reaches scoring milestone
February 9, 2026
Rachel Leggett can now say she has reached the 1,000-point milestone in high school and college.
The former Navarre Raider achieved the feat on Saturday in an 87-86 loss to Ball State, hitting a 3-pointer to hit 1,000.
The former Navarre Raider achieved the feat on Saturday in an 87-86 loss to Ball State, hitting a 3-pointer to hit 1,000.
Brian Out Loud
February 9, 2026
I saw someone post the other day on social media about the lack of junior college football in Florida.
The coach was asking for the governor to do something about it.
The coach was asking for the governor to do something about it.
Super opportunity ahead for Milton’s Caleb Champion
February 7, 2026
Caleb Champion is headed to the Super Bowl.
Not as a player, but as a pilot. The Milton High alum is set to be part of a flyover for the NFL’s biggest game Sunday night at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
Not as a player, but as a pilot. The Milton High alum is set to be part of a flyover for the NFL’s biggest game Sunday night at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
Hope and then heartbreak for Navarre Raider girls basketball team
February 7, 2026
Maleeya Brammer scored and drew a foul with 1:52 to play in the third quarter of the District 1-6A championship game Friday night.
She and her twin sister, Makayla, celebrated. The home crowd roared. Navarre led Niceville by four. A title started to feel more like a reality than a dream.
She and her twin sister, Makayla, celebrated. The home crowd roared. Navarre led Niceville by four. A title started to feel more like a reality than a dream.
No regrets for Raider girls soccer team despite tourney loss
February 6, 2026
Emma Barry and fellow Navarre Raider team captain Jade Wright shared a long embrace on the field after the clock hit zero in a Region 1-6A soccer quarterfinal Thursday night.
For Wright, there are still two more years of high school to go. But for Barry, this was the end of the road, a 6-0 road loss to the Niceville Eagles on a cold February evening marking the final stop.
For Wright, there are still two more years of high school to go. But for Barry, this was the end of the road, a 6-0 road loss to the Niceville Eagles on a cold February evening marking the final stop.
Hamblin headed to next level for college football
February 5, 2026
Connor Hamblin didn’t start playing tackle football until his freshman year.
He had played flag football and in the backyard with friends. Once he started playing at Navarre, he didn’t look back.
He had played flag football and in the backyard with friends. Once he started playing at Navarre, he didn’t look back.
Wins and losses don’t tell whole story for Raider boys hoops team
February 5, 2026
Navarre’s boys basketball team set out to lay a foundation this season, and in a lot of ways that was achieved.
The Raiders won nine games, five more than the previous season, and strides were made even if the win-loss record shows as 9-15.
The Raiders won nine games, five more than the previous season, and strides were made even if the win-loss record shows as 9-15.
Navarre Raider girls hoops team set to play for district title
February 5, 2026
Navarre’s girls basketball team is headed to the District 1-6A championship game on Friday night.
















