The Mustangs ended December on a roll, winning four straight games, including the Georgetown Day Christmas Tournament. Barrie, however, has not played a game since that time and it won't play again until January 19. Last week, the Mustangs had no games scheduled while this week is the school's exam week.

"I think it is [a bad time for a break] but they're practicing hard," said second-year Barrie coach Darnell Myers. "That's what counts."

Barrie opened the season with wins over Chelsea and Glenelg Country School in the school's own tournament. It then lost three straight Potomac Valley Athletic Conference games to Hebrew Academy, Jewish Day, which is undefeated in league play, and Sandy Spring Friends.

Myers said his team lost to Hebrew Academy and Sandy Spring by five points and Jewish Day by four. The Mustangs bounced back to win its next two leagues games, downing Covenant Life, a PVAC tourney finalist the last two years, and Washington Waldorf.

Barrie then captured the Georgetown Day School Christmas Tournament with wins over St. Anselm's in the semifinals and Sandy Spring in the final to move its overall record to 6-3 overall. The Mustangs entered its self-imposed break with a 2-3 PVAC mark.

Barrie's win over Sandy Spring was the first in four tries for the Mustangs during Myers' tenure.

"Most of all right now, the players are really playing well," Myers said. "The Sandy Spring game was a big win for us. "

The coach added that his Mustangs have been led by its "Big 3" of Derrick Bell, Frank Mason and Bobby Sharafeddin. Mason, who is a transfer student from Good Counsel, is scoring a team-high 17 points a game while Bell and Sharafeddin are chipping in about 15 points apiece.

The team's defense has also played a large part in its fast start.

"Defense wins basketball games," Myers said. "I believe in defense, it's my background as an assistant coach."

With its six wins, Barrie is already halfway to duplicating last year's win total of 12. The Mustangs finished 12-12 overall and 8-8 in the PVAC last season.