The Norland boys’ basketball team found itself in unfamiliar territory at halftime Saturday afternoon.

The undefeated Vikings, last year’s Class 6A state champions, were down eight to Miami High at the Hoop Exchange Southern Series at Sagemont High School.

The team appeared sluggish and lackadaisical, disinterested in playing up to its capabilities. The Vikings turned the ball over and allowed Miami High point guard Allen Baez to go for 15 first-half points as he led his team to a 32-24 lead.

But Norland came out with a different intensity level in the second half. The Vikings won the third quarter 18-1 to ultimately defeat the Stingarees 57-44.

Norland coach Lawton Williams III had a simple message to his team at halftime: play harder.

Norland was led by 6-2 junior guard Zachary Johnson, who scored 16 points, and 6-6 senior forward Maljhum McCrea, who went for 12 while also snagging eight rebounds.

The Vikings (7-0) rose to the challenge defensively, specifically in the second half. With a focus on Baez, who totaled 20 on the day, they held him to five second-half points and the Stingarees, as a team, to 12 after halftime.

Miami High, playing without 6-9 senior forward Wadley Mompremier, was taken advantage of by Norland’s size and strength inside. The Vikings outrebounded the Stingarees 33-22.

The spark for the second half may have come at the buzzer of the first. Johnson drilled a tough contested three-pointer off an outlet pass from teammate Shering Henry as time expired.

He then hit Norland’s first two field goals after halftime to spark the big run, adding a free throw to the one that cut the Viking deficit to two.

Despite earning a come-from-behind victory against a tough Miami High squad, Williams III understands that there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done.

“There [are] no important wins in December,” he said, acknowledging that his team’s ultimate goal is to reach the state finals in Lakeland.

Norland 57, Miami High 44 – NOR (7-0): McKnight 7, Mike 6, Johnson 16, Huell 3, McCrea 12, Williams 5, Deceus 4, Henry 3, Roberts 1. MH (7-2): Baez 20, Concepcion 2, James 12, Anfernary Coqmard 3, Anfernee Coqmard 7. Halftime: MH 32-24. Three-pointers: Johnson 3, Mike 2, James 3, Anfernee Coqmard, Baez. Rebounds: McCrea 8. Assists: Henry 7. Steals: Anfernary Coqmard 5. Blocks: Deceus 2.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Florida Christian 71, Palmer Trinity 35 - PT: Pico 2, Dagvosa 14, Becker 5, Beauperthuy 1, Marley 6, Portrondo 7. FC (4-4): Sebastian Hernandez 11, Jordan Valdes 5, Garrett Wicks 9, Alec Dieppa 6, JJ Burmister 6, Matt Hershman 18, Eric De Oca 8, Christian Jane 2, Gabriel Perez 6. Rebounds: Wicks 8. Assists: Wicks 7. Steals: Sebastian Hernandez 7

Late Friday — Miami Beach 68, Coral Gables 72 - MB: Tolliver 5, Warren 13, Elverez 5, Williams 18, lasunsba 7, McCall 4, Greenfield 16. CG: Kirkpatrick 19, Dawson 19, Morban 5, Jamir 3, Delrosario 6, Martinez 8, Cottle 4, Melendez 5, Melo 3. Rebounds: Martinez 10. Assist: Dawson 5. Steals: Dawson 5

Late Friday — North Miami 60, Mourning 50 - NM: Jeff St-Fleur 21, Cedric Lafortune 11, Terrel Brown 8. Rebounds: Jeff St-Fleur 12. Assists: Cole Crawford 3

Late Friday — Southridge 53, Hialeah Miami Lakes 37 - SR (7-2): Edwards 21, Wimbley 14, Chandler 4, Davis 4, Clarenton 4, Sanchez 2, McCray 2, Molano 2. HML: Gato 11, Montesino 7, Celestino 6, Santana 5, Carvajal 3, Boldanich 3, Morrow 2. Rebounds: Clarenton 6. Assists: Edwards 5. Steals: Edwards 7, Wimbley 7.