Prospect Watch: Cameron Hester (2018)
Class of 2018 post player Cameron Hester of Jackson High is a blue collar performer who gets the job done without a lot of frills and fanfare.
The 6’7″ Hester is one of the top frontcourt prospects in Southeast Missour. He has received recruiting interest many colleges, including Maryville, UMSL, Lyon, Evangel and even a look from nearby Division I school Southeast Missouri State.
Hester has spent the past three summers playing with the SEMO Storm, a talented group of 3-point shooters from Southeast Missouri. While his teammates are knocking down 3-pointers, Hester concentrates of bullying opponents with his strength and physical play in the lane. He describes his style of play in simply four words.
“I’m unselfish, gritty, strong and unique,” he said.
Hester is a force around the basket with his strength and ability to score with both hands. He gets excellent position and does not mess around with a lot of fakes when he gets the ball. He attacks the rim and will also throw down slam dunks off the drop step move in traffic. With several of his Storm teammates knocking down perimeter jumpers, it gave Hester plenty of room to operate in the post.
“I use my size to get in good position for block outs and seals in the post,” Hester said. “Playing with my friends on the Storm was a blast. We had a really good run. I wish it could have lasted longer.”
The big southpaw stepped into some big shoes as a junior at Jackson in 2017 when he had to replace graduated standout Blake Reynolds, who is now at Yale. Hester filled the role quite nicely as the Indians went on to win their fifth consecutive district championship and gain a berth in the Class 5 state quarterfinals.
“My goal for my senior year is to win a sixth straight district championship,” Hester said. “We also want to get one more shot at state.”