HIGH SCHOOL

Wirth twins carrying family legacy on court for Seton Catholic girls basketball team

Richard Obert
azcentral sports
Members of the Seton Catholic High School girls basketball team from left to right: LeeAnne Wirth, Liz Holter and Jenn Wirth.

When Chandler Seton Catholic's girls basketball season finally came to an end on April 1 in New York as part of a small but elite group of national high school teams in a made-for-ESPN showcase, the mindset was already there.

The five starters want more.

They'll get it during the Nike Tournament of Champions in December, when coach Karen Self's Sentinels are expected to be in the top-tier bracket against national powers.

At least Self is hopeful her team is placed there. Those brackets haven't come out yet.

Self knows how to win. She has coached Seton to eight state championships since 1997.

This could wind up being her best team ever with five future Division I college players.

The end game is finishing the season with a state championship in the 4A Conference, where Cave Creek Cactus Shadows is expected to push Seton.

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But after going 31-2 with its only losses against San Jose (Calif.) Archbishop Mitty (44-42) in the Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament in late December and to Jacksonville (Fla.) Ribault (49-41) in the Dick's Sporting Good national tournament in New York a month after Seton's Arizona Interscholastic Association season ended, it will be hard to find an Arizona opponent that can match up with them.

Seton returns all five starters, led by azcentral sports Player of the Year Sarah Barcello, who led a balanced attack last season with the Wirth twins, LeeAnne (6-foot-3) and Jenn (6-2), as unmovable forces in the paint. Barcello, the sister of two-time boys All-Arizona basketball player Alex Barcello of Tempe Corona del Sol, averaged 15.8 points last season.

"A lot of us are versatile, and that's a really good asset to have on the team," Barcello said. "It really helps us become a team."

PRESEASON RANKINGS: Boys basketball || Girls basketball

The Wirth twins both averaged 11 points and eight rebounds last year.

Point guard Liz Holter returns after averaging seven points and five assists. Junior Kendall Krick, who can play outside and inside at 5-8, also is back after averaging eight points and two assists.

"I think that our team chemistry to begin with is on point," said Jenn Wirth, who has signed with Gonzaga, along with her sister. "I think it can only go up from there. I'm really excited about what the season can hold."

The Wirth legacy is big at Seton. Three older sisters – Alana, Christina and Theresa – played on state championship basketball teams at Seton and played in college before the twins.

ALL-ARIZONA PRESEASON TEAMS: Boys basketball || Girls basketball

The twins are different players. Jenn faces the basket more, while LeeAnne's back is more to the basket, posting defenders up. Both are good 3-point shooters.

"Our sisters helped us along the way," LeeAnne said. "We looked up to them. They inspired us."

Self has been blessed with the Wirth family tradition.

"They've all gone through our system to know what our coaches are like," Self said. "They've put pretty high expectations on themselves."

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him at twitter.com/azc_obert.