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Mater Dei High has expressed concern to Sierra Canyon and the CIF-SS after one of its girls basketball players sustained a “significant injury” during the Open Division quarterfinals on Feb. 21.
In the middle of the fourth quarter, a Mater Dei player defending a Sierra Canyon post player fell backward onto the court. A video of the game shows the Sierra Canyon post player’s hand near the back of the head of the Mater Dei player before the fall.
The Sierra Canyon player received a pass in the paint and scored on the play, which didn’t draw a whistle from the officials.
Mater Dei coach Jody Wynn tended to her injured player and also argued with the officials. At that point she received her second technical foul of the game with 4:15 left in the contest.
Wynn was ejected and Sierra Canyon won the game 79-38.
“The Mater Dei High School community is deeply troubled about an incident that occurred during a women’s CIF-SS playoff basketball game vs. Sierra Canyon High School on Saturday, February 21, 2026,” Mater Dei said in a statement.
“After a significant injury to a Mater Dei High School player,” the statement added, “we strongly communicated our concerns about player safety to both Sierra Canyon High School administration and the (CIF-SS).”
“While we disagree with how the incident was managed by both entities, we will not speak on behalf of Sierra Canyon High School or the CIF-SS office.”
Sierra Canyon hasn’t responded to questions from the Southern California News Group. Sierra Canyon plays Ontario Christian in the Open Division final on Saturday night at Toyota Arena in Ontario.
CIF-SS spokesperson Thom Simmons declined comment on the play.
Simmons confirmed that the penalty for a coach receiving two technical fouls in a game is a one-game suspension.
“A one-game suspension is not appealable,” he said.
Mater Dei president Mike Brennan supports Wynn being allowed to coach next week when the Monarchs’ season continues in the CIF Southern California Regional.
“MDHS verbally and in writing appealed to CIF-SS asking for our head women’s basketball coach to be reinstated for our next CIF State playoff game,” he stated in an email. “MDHS believes that throughout the entire game (Wynn) was working to ensure a safe playing environment.”
“She continually expressed her concerns during the game,” Brennan added. “MDHS believes that (Wynn) was acting in the best interest of our injured player and all players on the MDHS women’s basketball team. Understanding (Wynn’s) concerns during the game; the incident and injury that occurred; it is reasonable that our coach or any coach would verbally approach the referee crew and emotionally express dissatisfaction. Therefore, MDHS strongly supports (Wynn) and believes that she should be reinstated to coach the next CIF State basketball game.”