Last year, Frank Mason transferred to the Silver Spring school from Good Counsel and proceeded to average 19 points per game, helping Barrie to its best-ever record at 17-7. Mason, a 6-foot-3 guard/forward, is back for his senior campaign.

This winter, third-year coach Darnell Myers welcomes 6-5 small forward Josh Colwell and 5-11 point guard D.J. Brown.

Colwell comes via the Newport School, which has recently housed some of the area's most talented squads, and Brown comes from basketball-rich Baltimore. Both are expected to contribute mightily this season.

"[Colwell] brings a lot," Myers said. "He could easily [produce] 10 rebounds and 20 points a night. [Brown] provides a lot of leadership as a point guard. He knows how to distribute the ball."

Throughout the roster adjustments in recent years, Bobby Sharafeddin, a 6-4 senior shooting guard, has been the team's biggest constant. He led Barrie in scoring last year, averaging 20 points per game.

Other key players are senior defensive stopper Matt Dejavichitlert, junior guard Josh Brooks and junior forward Daniel DeMichael.

"With the talent we've got coming back, I think we'll be very competitive [but] our schedule is tougher than last year," Myers said. "We definitely have our work cut out for us but if you want to get your program to be good, you have to play good teams."

That schedule includes participation in the Potomac School Invitational, the Bullis Holiday Classic and the Quince Orchard High School Invitational and a regular-season match-up with Montrose Christian, a burgeoning state private-school powerhouse in Rockville.

Not to mention, the Mustangs face more challenges in the ever-improving Potomac Valley Athletic Conference.

"Jewish Day and Hebrew Academy, both should be good," Myers said. "The PVAC is going to be tough. Everyone has pretty good teams."

Barrie opened the season two weekends ago by capturing its own Turkey Shootout, defeating the LAB School, 75-35, and Glenelg Country Day School, 57-41.