Norland coach Carla Harris-Curry has found it difficult to see guard Brittany Dinkins confined to the bench this season.

But it hasn’t prevented the Vikings from being one of Miami-Dade County’s best girls’ basketball teams.

“Every time I look at her on the bench, it’s like looking at 20 points we could have that game,” Harris-Curry said. “But I told my players at the start of the season, I was going to stop coaching, so they couldn’t stop playing.”

Norland used another collective effort Wednesday night to win a defensive battle against Miami High 32-29 in a GMAC semifinal at Coral Reef High.

Nia and Kayla Roberts each had nine points, and Denisha Bennett had eight, including two key three-pointers early in the second half to lead Norland (18-6).

The Vikings will play Krop for the tournament championship Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Coral Reef in a rematch of last year’s final, won by Norland.

Dinkins, an All-Dade first-team guard, tore her ACL in summer-league play and has not played this season. Harris-Curry said she is hopeful Dinkins, who will be evaluated by her doctor Feb. 9, may be available to return if the Vikings advance to the second round of regionals.

Several players, however, have stepped up in her absence. The most notable has been sophomore guard Danneal Ford, who was switched from shooting guard to point guard for the Vikings this season. Ford had a team-high four assists.

Miami High guard Lizandra Borrell hit a three-pointer to cut Norland’s lead to 30-28. But a late score by Roberts extended the advantage back to four with 20 seconds left. Tynesha Johnson made one of two free throws to cut the deficit to three. But two late turnovers prevented the Stings (17-5) from tying the score.

“Wins like this show you the character of this team,” Harris-Curry said. “We have only one senior. The biggest thing I told the young players was to be coachable, and they’ve learned a lot and picked it up.”

NOR (18-6): Ford 3, Bennett 8, K. Roberts 9, Durant 1, N. Roberts 9, Daniel 2. MHS (17-5): Reid 2, Pierre 2, Johnson 5, Kimbrough 2, Mendoza 4, Borrell 8, Mompremier 6. Half: N 15-14. Three-pointers: Bennett 2, Borrell. Fouled out: Johnson. Rebounds: N. Roberts 7. Assists: Ford 4. Steals: N. Roberts 4.

GMAC semifinal — Krop 58, Coral Reef 20: The Lightning never gave the previously unbeaten Barracudas (16-1) a chance to sustain any momentum. After Coral Reef scored the opening basket of the game, Krop went on a 24-1 run and forced the 35-point mercy rule.

N’Kiru Anyagaligbo had 11 points to lead the Lightning (20-4).

KR (20-4): Newry 6, Harrington 9, McCloud 5, Carr 4, Pascal 2, N. Anyagaligbo 11, Seraphine 6, Small 10, O. Anyagaligbo 5. CR (16-1): Menjivar 1, A. Alespeiti 5, Schoenberg 1, Arabitg 6, Ellison 6, Flores 1. Half: KR 36-6. Three-pointers: A. Alespeiti, McCloud, Seraphine.