Rhode Islander shoots hoops all day for a good cause

NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A resident of North Providence is hosting a 24-hour event, shooting 2,400 free-throws for a good cause from Saturday to Sunday.

Steph Coro, coach for the Wheeler School’s varsity girl’s basketball team, said she will spend the whole 24 hours making 100 free-throws on the hour, every hour to raise money for the Rhode Island Special Olympics.

Coro said the event was created by Debbie Antonelli, an ESPN analyst in South Carolina but now has representation from all over the nation.

Coro, a former basketball player at Rhode Island College, said this is her third year doing the “24 Hours of Nothing But Net” fundraiser and always appreciates crowds who come to cheer her on.

“My senior year of college I did an internship with Special Olympics and I fell in love with the community, I fell in love with the athletes so when this was brought to my attention that this could be a thing that I could possibly do moving forward, I accepted it,” Coro said.

“And then my first year I met Ryan, who has been an inspiration for me, he’s a special Olympic athlete and he’s fantastic and he pushes me through, he makes me want to keep doing this,” Coro continued.

Ryan Fleming, who also graduated from RIC studying youth development with a minor in coaching said the basketball-oriented fundraiser is very close to him.

“I’m just blessed to be a part of this great community and Steph’s team, I mean, I just love helping out in any way, this is just the best event, a great cause — its just amazing,” Ryan said.

At the end of the 24 hours, there will be a net-cutting ceremony and all proceeds will go directly to the Rhode Island Special Olympics.

To make a donation to the “24 Hours of Nothing But Net” event, click here.

For more information on the Rhode Island Special Olympics, click here.