St. Laurence’s Noah Corro has spent countless hours in the gym working to make his jumper as effective as possible.
So early in games, the sophomore guard knows that feeling.
That can’t-miss, every-shot-is-going-to-drop feeling.
With two early 3-pointers on Feb. 10 in St. Laurence’s 59-57 road victory over De La Salle, Corro knew it was going to be a night.
He finished with 20 points, including five 3-pointers, in the Catholic League Blue matchup.
“I felt good. Once the first two went down, I knew it was going to be a good night,” Corro said. “I was preparing all week. With the playoffs coming up, I’ve been in the gym a lot trying to prepare.”
Junior Markese Peoples (15 points, five rebounds) and sophomores Logan Brown (nine points, six rebounds) and Jeremiah Toney (eight points, four rebounds, three steals) also starred for the Vikings, who finished the week 23-6 overall, 3-5 in conference.
Sophomore Steph Dixon (18 points, three steals), senior Remi Edwards (14 points, 14 rebounds) and junior Chaden Henry (12 points, five rebounds) led De La Salle (13-16, 3-5).
The 6-1 Corro has been a standout all season for a young Vikings squad.
He played varsity last year as a freshman, but didn’t see many minutes behind a senior-heavy rotation.
This year, the coaches roll out the ball and tell him to lead the way.
“I’m having a lot of fun,” Corro said. “I like the freedom to just go out there. I’m not focusing on just the performance but going out having fun playing the game I love.”
Corro hit his fifth 3 early in the fourth to put St. Laurence up 51-45 with 6:09 remaining .
The Vikings closed strong down the stretch with Peoples and Toney both delivering with some clutch efforts.
St. Laurence has lost in recent weeks to some of the CCL’s best, including DePaul Prep, Brother Rice, Mount Carmel and St. Ignatius.
“There was definitely some heat (tonight),” Corro said. “It was a must-win for our team in the CCL. The team was really hyped up. We wanted this win. It was a big game, so I was really motivated to come out here.”
Coach Roshawn Russell said the team has tweaked its approach in recent weeks to get Corro more open looks from deep.
“You evolve and get more creative with him,” Russell said. “We’re running him off screens. He’s a great shooter. Noah found his rhythm, got it going and we called his number most of the game.”
Corro, Brown and Toney, all sophomores, have been key players all season for the Vikings.
“Noah is the oldest of the three of us and a great leader,” Toney said. “We take after him, learn from him and play as a team.”
Toney hit two free throws with 24 seconds left to help ice the game, putting the Vikings up 58-55.
Corro said the sophomore trio has come a long way.
“It’s been good,” Corro said. “It’s fun to play with two sophomores who I’m good friends with. We’re so young (as a team). It’s not something you see very often.”
A young De La Salle squad took its lumps at times early but has played better over the second half of the season.
The Meteors missed 14 free throws against St. Laurence.
“We have to work on our defense and rebounding,” Dixon said. “Free throws killed us tonight. We want to go win state. If we play defense, rebound and hit free throws, that will take us there. That’s what we focus on.”