Seton coach Karen Self (holding basketball) surrounded by current and former players honoring her 600th win -- Photo courtesy of Rory Self

Karen Self wasn't decked out completely in Seton Catholic's school colors of red and gold Wednesday night. She wore a sweater with a light yellow hue (we'll call it gold) and black pants, but a few minutes before the opening tip red appeared.

Self's face turned Seton red out of humble appreciation as the Seton community honored her in a pregame ceremony for her 600th career win 11 days ago against Valley Vista. She was presented with a basketball commemorating that milestone surrounded by former and current players. A nice moment for a nice lady and a fantastic coach.

Self, who coached her first game at Seton on Nov. 24, 1992, wasn't particularly nervous with it seemingly an ordinary game night. But she began ramping up her nerves a few minutes before her team took the floor to warm up. Her family, parents, sister and plenty of former players kept streaming through the gym doors.

"I figured something was going on, but not sure what," Self said. "Not all those people come on the same night."

Whether by accident or design, Seton's opponent Wednesday was Highland, who just happens to be coached by the man who may soon be Arizona's all-time winningest girls basketball coach -- Miner Webster. Together Webster and Self have 1,367 wins -- 762 for Webster and 605 for Self. They trail only Winslow's retired mentor Don Petranovich in Arizona's girls' coaching record book. Fifteen state titles have been amassed by Webster and Self in their careers -- eight for Webster and seven for Self.
 

Self's night was capped off with win No. 605, a hard-fought 47-38 triumph over Highland as the Lady Sentinels improved to 9-0. Seton's starting five all scored between eight and 11 points, led by point guard Liz Holter. All five of Seton's starters (Jenn Wirth, LeeAnne Wirth, Sarah Barcello, Holter and Kendall Krick) have had one or more sisters play for Self in the past. The good news for Seton is more are still to come. Bad news for everyone else.

The night was made that much more special for Self with her team coming out on top in a game of streaks and Webster in house.

"When I had coached a few years  that's who I wanted to be like," Self said of Webster. "He's an amazing coach."

Self isn't too bad herself. She owns an .827 winning percentage in her 24th season and Webster's is slightly higher at .853 in his 28th season. The game itself was representative of the programs both have fashioned. The state and sport should be proud of both. I know their communities are.