MIAMI -- The Key West High girls basketball team got its season off to a rough start Tuesday evening at Miami Norland.

Just six days after wrapping up the preseason with a loss to defending 3A state champion Parkway, the Conchs didn't fare much better against Norland, the defending Class 6A state champion. The Vikings, who led by just seven at the half, pulled away late for a 71-32 victory. Making matters worse for Key West, standout sophomore Shanyia Watson left with a head injury in the second quarter and senior Chelsie Storr, the two-time defending county player of the year, went down with a leg injury in the fourth and didn't return.

"They were a strong team and very physical," Conchs coach Glenn Hayes said of Norland. "Like last week against Parkway, we showed that we can hang with the big dogs in the first half, but in the second we just don't have the stamina or the bench to finish it."

Key West (0-1, 0-1 District 16-4A) was forced to change its game-plan in the second when Watson went out after diving for a ball and colliding with two other players on the floor. Hayes said Watson experienced headaches and her status, like Storr's, is day-to-day.

With Watson out, the Vikings double-teamed Storr, who took over at point guard. Key West was unable to stave off the pressure and fell into the big hole in the second half.

Storr finished with a team-high 16 points for the Conchs, while freshman Jamica Mack added seven, Brittany Wagoner scored four, Ja'Taure' Mathis chipped in three and Shelisa Page finished with two.

Hayes said he was particularly pleased with the post play of Mack and Taryn Weller, who left briefly with a twisted ankle but returned after icing it on the sideline.

"She fought hard inside and blocked some shots" despite the injury, Hayes said.

The Key West junior varsity team also fell, 36-26.

Key West will return home Friday to host West Boca Raton in a non-district game. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 (JV) and 5 p.m. (varsity).