Sophomore Noah Corro takes control as point guard for St. Laurence at Credit Union 1 Arena. ‘Put on a show.’

Sophomore point guard Noah Corro felt a strong sense of urgency for St. Laurence.

Playing on a college court, Corro recognized the stakes of competing in a marquee game so early in the season. That it came on the Illinois-Chicago campus certainly added to the moment.

“I just wanted to put on a show,” Corro said. “I didn’t get many minutes last year playing behind a great player, but I learned what I had to do. When it became my turn, I knew I had to be ready.”

Ready, willing and able, Corro scored a career-high 21 points Saturday night to rally the Vikings to a 57-55 win over Rich Township in the Chicago Elite Classic at Credit Union I Arena.

Junior forward Markese Peoples added 13 points and eight rebounds for St. Laurence (6-0).

Senior guard Kavon Ammons tallied 16 points and four rebounds for the Raptors (4-1). Junior forward Taijon Eaton contributed 11 points, six rebounds and a blocked shot off the bench.

Corro never left the floor Saturday and helped mitigate unrelenting full-court pressure by Rich Township that forced 21 turnovers. The Vikings trailed 45-34 midway through the third quarter.

Afterward, Corro proudly wore a customized gold chain for being named the game’s MVP.

“Noah really brought the team together when we went down,” Peoples said. “He got everybody settled and playing together. His IQ, his patience and his scoring ability really stand out.

“He got everybody open, got himself open, and he made plays.”

St. Laurence coach Roshawn Russell confirmed that the savvy and poise have helped Corro overcome his youth and relative inexperience.

“What he’s doing as a sophomore is really incredible,” Russell said. “Noah does a great job of handling pressure and his work ethic is extraordinary. His future is very bright.

“When you see somebody work as hard as he does and it translates on the court, that’s special.”

The 6-foot-1 Corro has the size to see the court and a smooth shot that opens up multiple possibilities in his game.

“I’d describe myself as a shot-maker who plays with pace,” Corro said. “When I hit my threes, the defense has to extend. That’s when my ball-handling and speed really take over.

“I can get by guys and make plays.”

Last season, Corro learned the intricacies of the position behind four-year starter EJ Mosley, who’s now a freshman playing for Purdue Fort Wayne.

Effectively taking the baton from Mosley, Corro plays the point as the orchestrator who is tasked with having the pulse of his team and how to play to their strengths.

“Going up against EJ every day prepared Noah for this moment,” Russell said.

The other significant player in Corro’s development has been his older brother Caleb, a senior guard at Olivet Nazarene in Bourbonnais.

Despite a seven-year age gap, Noah watched while honing his game and hard-working habits through Caleb’s tutelage.

“I really fell in love with the game watching and learning from him,” Noah said of his brother. “Working out and playing against him helped me take a huge leap.

“When you go up against a college guard and then come back to high school, the game just feels different.”

If playing time is often essential to early development, Corro worked around that aspect by getting stronger during a rigorous offseason weight-lifting program. He also played high-level AAU.

According to Corro, point guard is more than just a position, it’s a state of mind — and the mentality of working the court can be like a chess master.

“I knew last season, once our seniors graduated, this was going to be my chance,” he said. “I was prepared for it. I’m still learning when to shoot and when to pass, but I think I’m improving.

“I’m always just working on my game.”

Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.