There are about 15 coaches in Arizona basketball history who have reached the milestone of 500 career wins.

Some of the coaches accumulated a portion of those wins outside of Arizona, so in reality that list is even smaller. Then there are even fewer coaches who have spent their entire head coaching career at one school.

And two of those coaches happen to be at Valley Christian (Chandler) as Greg Haagsma, the boys coach, and Scott Timmer, the girls coach, are believed to be the first coaching duo in Arizona history to win at least 500 wins at the same school.

Haagsma reached the milestone in January of 2014 and Timmer got there on Jan. 9.

"First of all, I am not joining Greg," Timmer said, deflecting attention per usual. "Greg is in a class with the greats of all time. He is a master at getting the most out of his players, molding his system to be able to be successful with the players he has at that time, and studies the game more than anyone I know. His success didn't happen by accident. He works for it."

Haagsma, who is up to 544 wins heading into Friday's action, handed the baton to Timmer before the 1997-98 season after going 106-41 in six seasons with the girls.

Timmer has gone 501-92 heading into Friday's action at Poston Butte (San Tan Valley) and is a little self-deprecating about his accomplishments ("As for my 500th, it was truly a gift from God because I have never thought of myself as a good coach").

He considers his counterpart one of the greats, and yet Haagsma turns to Timmer from time to time.

"Scott is a great sounding board for me and our boys program," he said. "His philosophy is a little different than mine, but we do mostly believe in the same things. Because of that, there are things in our programs that are very similar. We have taken things from each other and used them in our programs."

This season has been a little bit more of struggle for the boys program at 9-6 — football injuries took a toll early on — while the girls are 16-1 and one of the favorites in Division III.

With that being said, there is no question that by the end of the year both teams will be in contention because that's what both programs — under the direction of 1,045 career wins from their mentors — do in February.

"We have a lot of very high quality and some depth of young talent that I am extremely excited about," Haagsma said. "The future of VCHS boys basketball is very good. The girls are very experienced and are playing well. We have really scheduled a tough schedule for them as they know that they have to beat the (Indian reservation) schools in the state tournament to take home the championship."

The thing that is clear with both men is the fact that winning — whether it is a milestone win or the seven combined state championships — isn't the big-picture focus in any way, shape or form.

"Winning 500 games is how the world measures accomplishments. I coach because the Lord has put it on my heart to use the game of basketball to make a difference in the lives of high school girls," Timmer said. "I enjoy teaching the skills of basketball, but I strive to be a positive influence in the personal lives of my players as well. I had an amazing coach in my high school years who never gave up on me, despite my many weaknesses, and inspired me to be a teacher and coach."

It helps to pull off that level of success when the guy coaching the same game in the office next door is just as giving and passionate about the game, and developing the right culture.

"Scott and I have gone to many, many coaching clinics together," said Haagsma, who is also the athletic director. "Both of us are students of the game and really love studying different approaches and philosophies and then discussing them together.

"It also helps having someone to share frustrations with. As a coach, you need a sounding board to share with at times."

Jason P. Skoda, a former Arizona Republic sports writer and current Prep Sports Director for 1013 Communications, is a 20-year sports writing veteran. Contact him at jskoda1024@aol.com.