Team Preview: Miami Norland

<p>Throughout this month, I will be highlighting selected teams across South Florida. This article takes me to Miami Norland. The Vikings finished 19-9 a season ago under <strong>Lawton Williams</strong>. Miami Norland will look to rebound after suffering a 26-point defeat to <strong>Pembroke Pines Charter</strong> in the Class 5A state tournament. 2021 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="818880" first="Malik" last="Siggers"]</strong> is a key departure.</p> <p>I’m sure you’re all well aware of 2024 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1069620" first="Marcus" last="Allen"]</strong> by now. The 6-foot-7, 200-pound wing averaged 12.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game while shooting 50 percent from the field. Allen should average 18 points and ten rebounds per game this season. He has too much size and athleticism to score a dozen points as he did as a freshman. Look for Allen to take more charge as a sophomore. He holds offers from <strong>Florida State</strong>, <strong>Miami</strong> and <strong>Florida Gulf Coast. </strong>Expect out of state programs to come calling soon.</p> <p>Moving away from Allen is a really good player in 2022 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="955802" first="Cameron" last="Johnson"]</strong>. I think Johnson has strong athleticism to score in the halfcourt or transition. Johnson averaged over 15 points and five rebounds per game while shooting 57 percent from the field. As a 6-foot-4 wing, Johnson gets it done at a high percentage. He’s a fantastic complement to Allen and underrated in my view.</p> <p>2023 [player_tooltip player_id="709246" first="Carl" last="Parrish"] could make this team a big three. The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 7.3 points while knocking down a team-best 50 3-pointers. His ability to stretch the floor should give looks to players like Johnson and Allen. Parrish played well late last season and should ride that momentum into this fall.</p> <p>2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1055725" first="Clarence" last="Burts"] provides another scoring threat. The 6-foot-3 guard has length and made 28 3-pointers. 2023 <strong>Isaiah Joseph</strong> was just behind him with 27 makes. Miami Norland has a core group of guards that can contribute on any given night.</p> <p>2022’s [player_tooltip player_id="1065494" first="Lionel" last="Swaby"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1065457" first="Christian" last="Campbell"] provide some help on the glass. The 6-foot-7 Swaby averaged 4.7 boards while the 6-foot Campbell averaged 4.5. Any uptick from them offensively could really help Norland overall.</p> <p>I loss to Pembroke Pines Charter, who would go on to win the 5A state title, should give Miami Norland plenty of motivation. Led by Allen, the Vikings have plenty of talent to get back into title contention. I think this is a great opportunity for their guards and frontcourt prospects not named Allen or Johnson to take their games to the next level. Lawton Williams is a great head coach to keep this team in the hunt.</p> <p><strong>For any South Florida Prep Hoops news or information...please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 on Instagram or follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.</strong></p>