Gilbert Christian coach Jerome Joseph won’t say so, but Division II basketball teams better keep an eye out for Joseph’s program in 2013-14.

The program prepared for its first D-II jaunt by humbling Division III opponents this season, including Saturday’s rival, Valley Christian. The two programs met for the fourth time this season, but a familiar fate awaited Valley Christian, a loss to a team that was head and shoulders above its D-III brethren this season.

Gilbert Christian (31-3) didn’t drop a game to a D-III opponent this year en route to defending its D-III state title with a 60-48 victory over Valley Christian at Jobing.com Arena. Only one senior started for Gilbert Christian Saturday.

“We don’t know,” said Joseph about whether his team can win a title at the D-II level. “We don’t know. We want to compete. That’s all we want to do.”

Valley Christian wanted to avoid another slow start in the first half against Joseph’s team, but Gilbert Christian’s only senior starter, Dylan Bliss, made sure Valley Christian fell behind again.  

Bliss’ three 3-pointers in the first quarter helped Gilbert Christian jump out to a 15-6 lead and never look back. Valley Christian didn’t allow Gilbert Christian’s go-to player, Sam Jones, to break free often, but Roberto Reyes (17 points, 6 assists) and Bliss picked up the slack.

Gilbert Christian wanted to keep Valley Christian (3 for 16 from beyond the arc) from hitting three-pointers, and it worked. 

“We just didn’t shoot it well,” Valley Christian coach Greg Haagsma said. “We turned it over way too many times. They (Gilbert Christian) played well. There was no doubt about it. I thought defensively we did a nice job against Sam (Jones). But it wasn’t enough because we didn’t play well offensively other than T.J. Widner.”

Widner scored 14 points for Valley Christian.

“I couldn’t be more proud of this group,” said Haagsma about his No. 9 seeded team (23-10). “They did everything we asked them to do, and they worked hard.”

As Valley Christian’s starters went to the bench with 1:18 remaining in the game, their fans gave the players a well-deserved standing ovation.

But Saturday belonged to No. 2 seed Gilbert Christian.

“We played well,” Joseph said. “We have guys who are talented, can make shots and share the ball, and when you get 12 guys on the same page, that’s tough to deal with. That’s what they did. They shared the ball. No selfishness. No ego. No pride.”