Aaron Nonneman defeats his old school in style

Senior Basketball player and Doane commit Aaron Nonneman scored a last-second, long-distance three-point shot for the win over the school’s rival and his old school, Adam Central (AC). 

After failing to make the second free throw, AC was still up 41-42. Sophomore Eli Schneider ran to half-court and passed to Nonneman. Nonneman took the shot, and the buzzer expired. The ball’s swoosh sound caused the HHS student section to swarm Nonneman.

“It was unreal. Everyone dreams of making that shot and having your whole school rush you. It felt so nice seeing that shot go in,” Nonneman said.

As a cross-town rivalry, the game against AC holds more weight than other games for both teams. For Aaron, the game means more because it’s an opportunity to play against his old school.

“I always look forward to this game because both AC and Hastings know me. I played for one year at Adam Central. But, I left AC because I felt like the atmosphere at Hastings was more well-suited for me,” Nonneman said.

Having gone to AC, the players and student section knew Aaron, making him a more straightforward player to smack talk. Nonetheless, Aaron had 15 points, scoring more than anyone else on the court.

“I was in the corner, ready to take a three-pointer where the Adam Central student section was. They chirped at me, saying something about when I used to go to Adam Central. I didn’t look or say anything, and I just splashed the three and moved on.” Nonneman said.

After the stunning game, Nonneman went to the locker room and was celebrated and was thrown water on him by the basketball team. After the celebration was over, Nonneman wanted to see his mom.

“My mom has been there for everything. She’s been to all my AAU tournaments. She’s taken me everywhere and paid for food and hotels for basketball tournaments. It meant a lot to her as well. She was crying. She was so proud,” Nonneman said.

With the help of his mom and coaches, Nonneman committed to Doane University last year in September. Nonneman is excited to continue his basketball career and meet new teammates.

“Aaron has grown tremendously in the last couple of years. Aaron is an unselfish, coachable basketball player. He’s put a lot of work in, especially in the summer. When everybody goes and chills during their summer break, Aarons is in the gym perfecting his game,” Head Coach Drew Danielson said.