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A high school basketball game in California ended in chaos when a fight broke out after the final buzzer sounded. Players and coaches from the losing sideline had to be forcibly restrained during the ugly incident.
The scuffle overshadowed a huge playoff upset. Frustrations from that unexpected loss likely fueled the fire.
Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana travelled to La Mirada to face the top-seeded Matadors in CIF Division I State Championship play.
La Mirada is one of the top schools in the country, boasting a Top 50 national ranking. Mater Dei, meanwhile, is ranked 57th in California.
The Matadors were expected to take care of business and advance to the second round. The Monarchs had other plans.
Mater Dei pulled off a huge upset.
La Mirada took an early 25-16 lead in the first quarter. They’d carry that nine-point advantage into the halftime break. Mater Dei would not be intimidated.
The Monarchs erupted to take the lead in the third quarter. They’d cement their victory with a dominant final period.
Mater Dei outscored La Mirada 55-37 in the second half. In doing so, they pulled off the rare 16-over-1 opening round upset.
The Matadors did not take the loss well. Moments after the game concluded, a scuffle broke out on the floor. Players and coaches from each side needed to be separated.
A few members of the losing team had to be forcibly restrained from going after their opponent.
California high school basketball fight mars big win.
POSTGAME: An altercation happening immediately after the La Mirada-Mater Dei game. Players and coaches involved @SGVNSports pic.twitter.com/RapzONgv0M
— Gabriel Duarte (@GabrielNDuarte_) March 4, 2026
It’s not exactly clear what sparked the incident, which consisted mainly of pushing and shoving.
Two La Mirada members, one player and one coach, were particularly angry with what had transpired. Officials and assistants did well to keep the situation from exploding.
The fight put an ugly end on what was a great high school basketball game.
Mater Dei will advance to the next round to face JSerra Catholic. La Mirada’s incredible season has come to an abrupt end.