Jaclyn Hester

Tim Monihan and Farmers Insurance acknowledge junior shooting guard Jaclyn Hester as the first Player of the Week for the winter sports season.

“I bring a little bit of experience, because I’ve been playing for a long time,” Hester said. “I’m really familiar with basketball and everything, just because I’ve been playing for a long time.”

As the only returning starter from last year’s team, Hester uses her experience to lead the team. Heading into this weekend’s games, Hester is 23 points away from reaching 1,000 career points. Only two other girls in school history — Katie Wilson in 2014 and Alice Anne Hudson in 2019 — have achieved this accomplishment.

“[Hester] is our leading scorer, and she is a leader on the floor,” head coach Emily Sweeney said. “She always has a great attitude and comes everyday ready to work.”

Overall, the team struggled throughout non-region play and currently sits 3-10. After a 42-33 loss to Harris County this past Tuesday, the Lady Panthers will look to Hester to lead a strong region push. Starr’s Mill is currently fifth in the region, one spot above Whitewater. 

The Lady Panthers host Whitewater this Friday at 6 p.m. and region rival McIntosh Saturday at 5 p.m.