All Quiet as Canyons Beats Valley : Women’s basketball: Cougars win division title, 67-60; Herrick decision expected today.

NORTH HOLLYWOOD — Two and a half weeks after their last game ended amid controversy, the College of the Canyons and Valley women’s basketball teams met Wednesday night without incident in a Western State Conference South Division game won by Canyons, 67-60.

Canyons (17-12, 9-0 in division play) clinched the South title with the victory. Valley dropped to 5-4, 13-18.

The game, played at North Hollywood High because the Valley gym was damaged during the Jan. 17 earthquake, was closely watched by uniformed security personnel and administrators from both schools. Everyone in attendance was checked with metal detectors at the door.

It was part of precautionary steps taken by both schools in the wake of charges by Valley that Canyons Coach Greg Herrick used a racial slur against Monarch players after their game at Canyons on Jan. 29.

Valley Coach John Taylor also said then that Herrick refused to shake hands after the game.

Herrick has adamantly denied allegations that he made a racial slur. The results of an internal investigation into the incident by Canyons officials will be released today.

The teams and coaches shook hands after Wednesday night’s game, a hard-fought contest in which the lead changed hands several times in the final minutes before Canyons pulled away.

Janice Van Mourik scored 21 points, Wendy Wiggins added 15 and Rebekah Cunnan had 13 for the Cougars. Nikki Hamilton scored 18 points and Cicely Brewster had 14 for Valley.