After amassing a 13-3 record, the Salem Christian varsity girl’s basketball team finally played their first home game this season…. Sort of.

  The Saints celebrated senior night last week taking on James River Home School at the Rockville Community Center off Pouncey Tract Road. It’s the closest the team will get to a home court edge this year, and the girls took full advantage of the opportunity.

  Katherine Barth led the Saints with 14 points and senior Hannah Gilbert contributed 11 as the Saints got their 14th victory of the season with a 40-6 thrashing of the Eagles.

  Coach J.B. Bailey called off the dogs early.

  Point guard Samantha Ellis ran an efficient offense and finished the night with six points, six assists and no turnovers in the victory.

  Even with the lopsided win, it was a special celebration for Gilbert, the team’s only senior. At halftime, Hannah, her parents and grandparents were recognized. Bailey said Gilbert has been a reliable and steadfast part of the Saints squad since it was formed.

  “She has been a great help to her team by being an example —going to summer basketball camps and off season training to improve her game,” Bailey said. “She is a leader in team meetings and practice.”

  Gilbert’s final hurrah as a Saint almost came to an abrupt end with an early season ankle injury, but she fought through it and returned to the lineup. “We will miss Hannah on the team and in our school in the coming years,” Bailey said.

  Although Gilbert isn’t sure about her future basketball endeavors, she has a clear focus on a career path. She wants to be a physical therapist and has applied to Liberty University, James Madison and Virginia Tech. She expects to hear from those schools in March.

  Hannah’s father, Rick Gilbert, also serves as the team’s assistant coach. “She’s a great basketball player, but more importantly, she’s a great person,” he said. “She’s never met a stranger and everyone that knows Hannah, loves Hannah. We are honored to be her parents.”

  Gilbert keeps it all in perspective. “I like being on a team where it’s not all about winning,” she said. “It’s about doing your best and God is the main center. It’s meant a lot to me.”

  She plans on focusing full time on her career once she chooses a college. “My plan is not to play in college. I’ll probably play intramurals and stuff like that because I love being active.”

  The Saints will finish the regular season this week and enter the Virginia Commonwealth Athletic Association (VCAA) tournament at Victory Christian as the third seed.

  Other action at Rockville Community Center included a boy’s middle school game in which the Eagles defeated the Saints 35-32 in a close match up. Salem’s junior varsity boys defeated James River 42-32.

  “This was a great event tonight, and I’m glad we had such a good turnout, from both schools,” Bailey said.

On Monday

  Barth had 24 points and 12 rebounds and Gilbert had nine rebounds and eight points to lead Salem Christian to their first win over Central Virginia Home School 42-41 on Monday night.

  “It’s like Randolph-Macon beating Notre Dame,” Bailey said.

  The Saints were down starter Courtney Richardson, who sprained an ankle on Saturday.

  Central Virginia had a chance near the end of regulation, but the shot rimmed out and the resulting ball scramble saw time expire.

  “The effort was tremendous, the crowd was great,” Bailey said. “It was an extraordinary experience.”

Additional information provided by Media General News Services.