By Brady Talbert / Staff Writer

NORTH SHELBY – A familiar face will remain on the Oak Mountain basketball court this upcoming season as Beth Parmer, previous assistant coach of the women’s team, has been bumped up to head coach.

Parmer started her coaching career at John Carroll, leading the middle school team back in 2011, where the group made it to the Southern Conference Championship. She moved to varsity for the 2015-2016 school year as an assistant. The following year she was named head coach of the John Carroll team, then made the transition to Eagles’ territory as assistant this past year.

After previous head coach Allen McGowan accepted an assistant position for the women’s Birmingham Southern College team, Parmer expressed her interest in the vacant spot this past spring.

“This whole year has come full circle for me,” Parmer said expressing her enthusiasm about the position.

Oak Mountain’s girls didn’t win an area game this past season, but that’s something Parmer said has given them something to prove. Parmer wants to provide an enhanced culture for the team, putting a “chip on our shoulders” and preparing for the upcoming season.

A new senior class means a new “good group of leaders,” Parmer said. Senior Kailey Rory will be returning to the team and will remain a primary player this season.

Rory received All-County honors this past season after averaging 14 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 2.1 assists per game. Moving up she’s “had another year to grow” and is predicted by Parmer to be a strong competitor on the court.

Junior Hannah Edwards “worked her tail off” last season, remaining sharp and in shape following a difficult injury that forced her to sit out. Edwards made her mark as one of the best centers in the county, and Parmer predicts she will step up more this season.

The team will have some less structured gym time in July. When the school year starts back, the team will be back at it, with their first practice scheduled for October 15.

Oak Mountain’s team opens against Homewood and will be “challenged from the beginning.” Parmer said the only way to grow is by taking these challenges head on, but the team “will be ready.”