Make it 2 for dominant Vikings

Norland became just the fourth Florida school since 1963 to win football and boys’ basketball titles in the same year.

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BY ANDRE C. FERNANDEZ

a1fernandez@MiamiHerald.com

LAKELAND -- The memorable sports season at Norland High continues.

Less than three months after its football team capped a perfect season with a state title, the Vikings boys’ basketball team secured one of its own with a 64-36 victory over Leesburg in the Class 6A state championship Saturday afternoon at The Lakeland Center.

Led by another stellar performance from senior guard Cleon Roberts, Norland won its third state championship in the past seven seasons.

Roberts, who led a second-half offensive outburst that turned the game into a rout, finished with 27 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals.

“We won our last game, and that’s all that matters,” Norland coach Lawton Williams III said. “I had said earlier that this team had earned the right to be here with the road it took to get here. I think we saved our best game for last.”

Norland also became the first school in South Florida to win state titles in boys’ basketball and football in the same school year, and only the fourth in state history (Port St. Joe, Bradenton Southeast, Cocoa) since 1963 — the start of the playoff era in football.

Norland has now won seven state championships combined in football and boys’ and girls’ basketball over the past decade — more than any other Miami-Dade County school during that span.

HARD TO BEAT

The Norland boys’ basketball team improved its record to 6-0 in its three appearances at the final four under Williams.

“Lawton knows what it takes to win with these kids year after year,” said Ira Fluitt, Norland’s athletic director the past 10 years. “He’s more than a coach to a lot of these kids. He’s a mentor and he has the right formula with these kids.”

In an era where schools often succeed with transfer students, Williams has coached his team to championships on the strength of its neighborhood kids.

“It’s huge for the community,” Williams said. “We take a lot of flack for bad academics, but this community has stuck together and I’m just happy for the kids. We pride ourselves on winning with our neighborhood kids.”

Defense wins

After a first-half typical of Norland’s tough defensive semifinal against Winter Haven, it led 20-13. The Vikings scored 18 points in the first four minutes of the third quarter and outscored Leesburg, which won a state title in Class 4A last season, 20-5. Norland would lead by as many as 29 points in the second half.

Maljhum McCrea finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds and Tyrell Williams had six points and five rebounds as Norland controlled the paint, outrebounding Leesburg 43-23. Norland forced Leesburg to shoot a dismal 23 percent from the field. Norland was sharp, shooting 55 percent for the game.

Celebration time

Roberts and his teammates rushed the court to celebrate the championship when the final buzzer sounded. When they got back to their seats, they found some presents.

Members of the Norland fans that made the trip to support the team left the players black festive top hats with a New Year’s Eve look for them to wear. The players continued the celebration and wore the hats as they received their medals.

Roberts even gave a postgame interview on the Florida High School Athletic Association’s online broadcast wearing his hat.

The Norland community was united on Saturday — even in cyberspace.

Roberts, who wears the No. 3 on his jersey, got support from a fellow Norland star who dons the same number. Norland’s football star running back Duke Johnson posted updates throughout the game on his Twitter account, and sent Roberts a message to “win it for the No. 3’s.”

Roberts, whose siblings have contributed heavily to the school’s championship tradition, said he was happy he could add his own championship ring and jacket to his family’s collection.

“It means a lot especially after coach had nagged me a little about wearing my sister’s jacket and rings,” Roberts said. “It feels great to finally get one of my own.”

NOR (29-3): Fils-Aime 5, C. Roberts 27, Duncan 4, Williams 6, Fabien 1, Peacock 2, McCrea 16, Bissainthe 3. LEE (23-10): Toolie 6, Jones 8, Mitchem 6, Little 1, Willis 7, Lake 3, Bisbee 5. Halftime: NOR 20-13. Three-pointers: Fils-Aime, Mitchem 2, Lake. Rebounds: NOR 43 (McCrea 10); LEE 23 (Jones 5); Assists: NOR 11 (C. Roberts 4); LEE 8 (Toolie 5); Steals: NOR 11 (C. Roberts 4); LEE 7 (Willis 3).