Oak Mountain Academy’s 2017-18 girls’ basketball team had one of their best seasons finishing with a
record of 22-3, a region championship, and a trip to the elite eight in the GISA state playoffs. What
makes these Warriors truly unique is their successes both on the court and in the classroom.

The Warrior’s Magnificent Seven, the juniors and seniors on this year’s roster, were critical to the team’s
success. Oak Mountain Academy coach Terrell Barkley relied on seniors Josie Francis and Lilly Parmer
and juniors Maggie Harden, Bess Murrah, Christian Pollard, S.K. Pike, and Aubrey Wynn. Not only did
they lead the team in playing time, but they also set the tone in the locker room inspiring the younger
players with their hard work. Francis, Parmer, Harden, and Pollard were all named to the All-Region
team while Pollard and Parmer were honored as All-State selections. Parmer who plans to attend UGA
and study business describes the team, “It is great to have a team where everyone is so smart and
driven. We study together before games and practices and push each other in the classroom as much as
we do on the court.”

The seven upperclassmen have an average grade point average of 4.25, an average ACT score of 28, and
an average SAT score of 1308, exceeding the Georgia average ACT score of 21.4 and the Georgia average
SAT score of 1050.

Bess Murrah who hopes to attend Georgia Tech to study Civil Engineering, explains the rigor of being a
student athlete, “Sometimes it is challenging to balance both academics and athletics, but I recognize
my commitment to self, my parents, teachers, teammates, and coaches to strive for success in both
areas. My studies are undoubtedly my first priority, but my athletic activities at Oak Mountain Academy
require time management and personal responsibility.”

The girls’ 4.25 GPA is even more extraordinary considering the challenge of taking schedules full of
Advanced Placement classes. These are Oak Mountain Academy’s most difficult courses where
students can earn college credit by passing an AP exam. The seven juniors and seniors have taken an
average of six AP classes each, having passed their AP exams with an average score of 3.7. The national
average score on an AP exam was 2.86 in 2017.

S.K. Pike and Maggie Harden believe that the team’s athletic and academic competitiveness make them
special. Pike explains, “Everyone on this team is extremely competitive on and off the court. We strive
to get the highest grades and scores possible to show that we can excel at sports and academics.”
Harden, who aspires to be a veterinarian, echoes Pike stating, “We all push each other to be successful,
just one reason why our chemistry is often said to be strong.”

Founded in 1962, Oak Mountain Academy now has more than 200 students enrolled in grades PreK 3
through 12th grades. Oak Mountain Academy is an innovative school of academic excellence where
students receive a personalized, faith-based, college-preparatory education on a vibrant campus that
offers dynamic opportunities, empowering them to become leaders committed to living lives of service
and integrity.

For more information, contact Katie Kilgore at 770.834.6651 or katiekilgore@oakmountain.us