It was clear early that the better defensive team would win Saturday’s clash between Miami-Dade County’s top teams.

But although defense has been a staple of Norland basketball for years, it was Miami High that gained the upper hand in the second half by consistently forcing turnovers in a 61-47 Stingarees’ win against the Vikings at Monsignor Pace.

Both teams entered the game, which was part of the Hoop Exchange Southern Series, unbeaten against Dade opponents.

Miami High (14-3), ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 8A, used a 15-0 surge in the second half to pull away as its full-court pressure forced numerous mistakes by the Vikings (12-2), the top-ranked team in Class 6A.

Senior forward Jeffrey Thomas finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Junior point guard Allen Baez finished with 11 points and four assists, and senior Willie Walker had seven rebounds and four points.

“Defense is what makes us strong and has us in contention for a state championship,” Miami High coach Marcus Carreno said. “This team has a lot of experience and has shown a lot of growth throughout the season.”

Home-court advantage, however, has had nothing to do with the Stingarees’ success. Miami High’s famed home gym, dubbed “The Asylum” has been under construction forcing the Stingarees to practice and play away from home all season.

Miami High has played every game at either their opponents’ gym or at tournaments. Practices have been held at multiple sites including Miami Lakes Technical School, Jose Marti gym near downtown, Virrick Park in Coconut Grove or Mater Academy in Hialeah Gardens.

Baez said all the traveling has bonded the team, which is coming off a regional semifinal appearance last season, more than ever.

“It’s definitely been different, but it’s been a good experience for us,” Baez said. “Every game a lot of fans are cheering against you and it makes you feel like the underdog. But that’s only made us stronger.”

After trailing by as many as nine points early in the second half, Miami High outscored Norland 25-6.

BROWN TO LOUISVILLE

Norland linebacker Keith Brown, once a UM commitment, also announced he has switched his commitment to Louisville on Saturday during the U.S. Army game. Brown had switched his commitment from UM to Illinois but recently changed his decision.

Brown had three tackles for the East squad that lost to the West 24-12.

MORE FOOTBALL

Belen Jesuit placekicker Sergio Sroka coolly stroked a field goal through to give his Private All-Star team a dramatic come-from-behind 18-17 victory over the Public All-Stars in the Tru Sports Foundation’s Public/Private All-Star Game at McArthur Stadium in Hollywood on Friday night.

The Public team dominated the first half with a 14-0 lead.

But then came the second half and that’s when the real hero of the evening, Calvary Christian quarterback Javan Shashaty, took over for the Private team. Shashaty began firing to his two favorite targets, Calvary wide receivers Greg Mabin and Shawn Lashbrook along with Belen Jesuit running back Imani Davis.

Trailing 14-2, Shashaty hit Davis on a 8-yard touchdown pass midway through the third quarter to make it 14-9. Then, following a 23-yard field goal by Miami Springs’ Ricky Delapuente early in the fourth, led his team on another long drive, culminating once again on a toss to Davis, this one from 2 yards out with nine minutes left. The two point attempt failed leaving it 17-15.