Salem College

FIRST-YEAR (2024-25): Hester capped off her first year at Salem by ranking in the Top 3 of 13 major statistical categories … ranked first in field goals made (78), points (217), points per game (11.4), offensive rebounds (70), defensive rebounds (103), total rebounds (173), rebounds per game (9.1) and blocks (21) … made 15 starts in 19 games over the course of the season, logging 620 minutes along the way … led all Salem shooters from the floor, knocking down 78-of-192 field goals, finishing with a 40.6 shooting percentage ... was also successful on 61-of-98 free throws (62.2%), which led the Spirits in both free throws made and attempted … finished off the season with seven double-double performances, which tied her alongside Sarah Smith for sixth-most single-season double-double outings in program history ... her seven double-doubles were the most since Quntashea Lewis notched 18 double doubles during the 2015-16 campaign … made her collegiate debut at Randolph (Nov. 13), coming through with six points and six rebounds … finished off a solid outing against Agnes Scott (Nov. 23) with 14 points and nine rebounds, converting six free throws and four field goals … closed out November with her first career collegiate double-double (12 points / 12 rebounds) against Pfeiffer (Nov. 26) … rattled off five straight double-double performances for the Spirits from December 17 and January 10, which came against Methodist (15 points / 10 rebounds), Meredith (15 / 15), Sewanee (25 / 14), William Peace (19 / 17) and Greensboro (19 / 16) … narrowly missed a double-double against Southern Virginia (10 points / nine rebounds) … had a pair of 12-point outings against Methodist (Feb. 1) and Southern Virginia (Feb. 4) … led Salem to its first win of the season with a 12-point, 10-rebound performance against Greensboro (Feb. 22). 

PREP: Graduated from Eastern Alamance High School in 2024 … a four-year member of the Eagles basketball team, playing under the direction of Tim Krotish … recognized as team Most Valuable Player following the 2023 season … named as a member of the Central AAA All-Conference team on three occasions (2022, 2023, 2024) … selected to 2024 Central Conference Tournament unit … played a key role in helping her team capture the Mid-State 2A/3A Conference Championship in 2021 … competed on the Club Basketball circuit for the Lady Phenoms in 2022-24, under the direction of head coach Jerry Haith. 

PERSONAL: Nicole Lavett Hester … daughter of Tacita and Marvin Hester … born on June 14, 2006 … has one brother, Nolan, along with two other siblings … distinguished as Daughters of the American Revolution Senior of the Year … graduated Cum Laude … recognized as a North Carolina Academic Scholar … member of National Honor Society … took part in the Chick-Fil-A Leadership Academy … active in Fellowship of Christian Athletes.