In December, she signed a letter of intent, but on Monday Candace Barham made things official as the Lady Panther senior basketball player signed a scholarship to play for Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon.

Barham said she will major in pre-medicine while pursuing a nursing degree at the private Christian college.

"It feels good to know that I don’t have to worry about college anymore," Barham said.

The senior said she plans to stay in the gym and not give up earning her starting spot as a Lady Baron.

Barham’s dad, Courtney Anthony said he was thrilled to have his daughter sign a scholarship ensuring their second child would receive higher education. His son Cornelius signed with GSU and is in his sophomore year on the Eagles football team.

"It’s truly a blessing and it feels great not having the pressure of paying for college out of pocket," Patricia Anne Barham, Candace’s mom, said.

DeCole Shoemate BPC women’s head basketball coach said it was Barham’s work ethic that caught her attention when looking for talent.

"She has a lot of attributes that will be very key in helping be successful at the next level."

Shoemate said Barham runs the floor well, which will suit the run-and-gun style of basketball the Lady Barons are planning to implement.

"A post player of her caliber will be helpful," Shoemate said. "Everything is pretty much up for grab as far as playing time. I have high expectations for her and hopefully she will come in and fulfill them and have a very successful first year."

Lady Panther coach Carolyn Kelly said, although Barham started late in high school, she knew she would progress to the next level if she worked.

"She worked extremely hard not only on the basketball court but in the classroom as well," Kelly said. "We worked hard for her because she worked hard for us."