SSenior Aaron Fine’s very first words were “ball, shoot.” As an infant, with the entirety of his life 

ahead of him, he hadn’t learned how to run, pass, or dribble. Still, his first words declared to the world, “I am going to be a basketball player.”

His father, Matt Fine, played collegiate basketball at Ball State University and has been a coach for nearly the entirety of the 21st century, with his most recent stop at Noblesville for the past 5 years. Aaron’s younger brother, Adam, is following directly in the family’s footsteps as a blossoming sophomore earning varsity minutes. Noblesville basketball runs through the Fine family. With Aaron starting at point guard, Matt coaching, and Adam alongside them, this Fine-dominated lineup, and the high expectations that it brings, has led to impressive achievements. 

Last year, the Millers defeated Westfield to win their first sectional championship since 2010 and came within two points of winning regionals and advancing to semi-state. Even though Matt is a two-time state runner-up, the most important victory to him is the one he shared with his sons.

“With both boys being on the sectional roster, winning a sectional championship was pretty awesome,” Matt said. “Being able to share that moment with the family last year [made the moment] even more special.” 

Winning a state championship always starts with practice. The work basketball athletes put in in training directly translates directly into improvements shown on gameday. According to Matt, nobody pushes each other harder at practice than Adam and Aaron. 

“Adam guards Aaron every day, sometimes getting the best of him,” Matt said. “Thankfully, they do a good job of not carrying it home—I don’t hear too many fights. But pushing each other at practice is a good thing.” 

Both brothers admit they have a friendly rivalry, and that it may have stemmed from training their entire lives together. Adam and Aaron have been playing one-on-one since the court was their own bedrooms instead of Noblesville gymnasiums, and a 10 foot regulation basket was instead a mini hoop, just a foot wide hanging on their door frame.

“I’ve always trained with him. Sometimes, being brothers, things can get competitive, but it’s great,” Adam said. 

At times, the Fines say that competitive fire can get a little out of control. The physicality of practice can transcend the rules of basketball and the family has seen more than one scuffle.

“We get physical with each other. If it was anyone else it would look like a fight, but it’s just brotherly love,” Aaron said.

It isn’t all hard fouls and trash talk, though. Aaron says that there’s no bigger supporter of his on the team than Adam, and that encouragement is reciprocated. It’s all love, he claims—after all, they are family.

“He’s my biggest fan, and I’m his biggest fan. We always want to see each other succeed, it’s only when we’re on the court that we’re battling,” Aaron said.

Since the birth of his sons, Matt’s trophy case of IHSAA tournament championships has increasingly run out of empty space. As the coach of Muncie Central High School, he won nine out of 15 sectional championships, along with his two semi-state victories. And through all that success, the Fine brothershave watched their father from a young age.

“We always spent time around basketball, going to the games my dad coached,” Adam said. “Those times definitely resonated with me, created my love for basketball.”

The family believes love for the game is in the Fine DNA. Each member of the family has dedicated countless hours of their lives towards basketball and won’t stop playing until they reach higher goals.

“I’ve always loved basketball growing up, it’s all I’ve ever known,” Aaron said. “[Basketball is] something that I’ve always been around. Doing it now around my dad and brother is special.” 

With Aaron’s senior season reaching its climax, Matt looks to cherish every moment he can teaching his sons into being better teammates, players, and gentlemen.

“[Aaron and Adam are] both hard workers, they’re both great teammates. I’m proud of both of them,” Matt said. “I’ve coached them for a long time, and now I’m just trying to enjoy their last year together.”