SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – Basketball has always been an escape for Saugus High School senior, Adrian McIntyre — coming into the gym, shooting around with his teammates, and forgetting the outside world, even for just a little while. 

“Being around them, seeing their faces, seeing them smile, it helps us push through things,' McIntyre said. "It distracts us from all the negatives that we walk into once we leave the gym.” 

Playing basketball is a distraction, but it's also a reminder. If you look down at his shoes, you'll see the names of four people. 

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"I had two friends who passed away, my friend Booga and my friend Bash," he explained. "And then there's Gracie and Dom."

Gracie Anne Muehlberger and Dominic Blackwell were McIntyre's fellow students at Saugus. They lost their lives in a school shooting last November. 

It took place just five days before the basketball team kicked off its season. 

“When it happened to us we were all in shock and didn’t know what to feel," McIntyre said. “So, it’s kinda of good to look at the shoes whenever I need it for motivation in game or at practice. That keeps me going.”

It was an added weight that his head coach Alfredo Manzano had never experienced. His team was carrying a lot more than just the season's expectations on their backs. 

“It’s definitely added pressure," Manzano said. "You’re carrying a 'Saugus Strong 'mentality, you don’t have the start you wanted, and it’s easy to give up.” 

McIntyre took it upon himself to set the example. Thus far, he's done a pretty good job of it, becoming Saugus' all-time leading scorer and setting multiple school records. 

However, for McIntyre it's about more than just the game. His motivation is aimed at not taking the opportunity for granted and giving back to the family he's grown to love. 

“Knowing what a real brotherhood looks like [and] knowing that people care about you is something I will live by for the rest of my life," he said.