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The road to the FAVC championship is a long one, but the Talawanda Braves are well on their way, having taken another step in the right direction in their Jan. 19 victory over Mt. Healthy by a 55-50 score.

The Braves, 10-4 overall and 5-1 in FAVC play, came out blazing, outscoring Mt. Healthy 13-7 in the first quarter. But as the seconds ticked off the clock, Mt. Healthy settled in and began putting up points. In the third quarter, Mt. Healthy outscored Talawanda 19-14, tying the game at 36-36 with the fourth and final quarter left. Something must have been said, an adjustment made or maybe the switch was finally flipped, but the Braves came out with a vengeance, outscoring Mt. Healthy 19-14 in the fourth.

Leading the way for the Braves was Jeremy LaGarde, scoring 15 points, grabbing six rebounds as well as handing up three assists. Rhys Newman helped the Braves by chipping in another 13 points while nabbing five rebounds. But neither player was thrilled with the team's play.

"We're playing pretty good right now," LaGarde said. "But we're going to have to play better to win this Friday. You can't take anyone lightly."

Newman went further, saying that the level of play was not up to par with the basketball the Braves have been playing

"I think we came out flat and didn't play as well as we could have," Newman said. "They've improved since the last time we played them, but we just didn't play that well. Maybe we were a little bit too overconfident."

Coach Michael DeCello agreed that it wasn't the team's best performance, but also that it was a victory.

"We didn't play our best game, but you can't play your best game every night," DeCello said. "A win is a win and even when you're not playing your best, it means the team is getting better."

With Mt. Healthy behind them and the FAVC title still well within their reach, the Braves next face off against FAVC foe Northwest Friday. While Northwest is 1-12 overall and 0-6 in the league, the Braves are not taking any chances or taking them lightly.

"We have to win," DeCello said. "They have this new kid who is 6-5 who is putting up double digits in points and rebounds so we have to be at our best."

The philosophy and strategy for the Braves is still the same too — great, stifling defense and a potent offense.

"Controlling the boards," DeCello said. "We keep telling the kids to win the battle on the boards."

LaGarde and Newman both felt that the team was on the right track and that better execution is what the team needs to do.

"It's the same week in and week out," La Garde said. "Playing good defense and offensively, we need to put up more points. We just need to play our game and stick together as a team and we should be alright."

"(Our) strategy is fine," Newman said. "We just didn't come out strong. If we execute better this weekend, we should be fine."

With a week off between Mt. Healthy and Northwest, Talawanda players have been resting and trying to stay healthy. Coach DeCello revamped the practice schedule to rest his players who were feeling under the weather.

"He (DeCello) canceled practice Wednesday to give us the day off," Newman said. "A lot of players are sick and need time. The time off helps; I know I feel fresher. I think Coach is being smart by not overworking us."

Even with a week off, the Braves still have to travel to Northwest and battle it out, but again, DeCello isn't worried, and in fact, he's looking forward to it.

"We play well outside of our house," DeCello said. "(We're) Looking forward to playing again, especially after a week off."

Tip off for the Braves' battle against FAVC rival Northwest is at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Northwest.