Junior College BASKETBALL : Canyons Wins Title on Ray’s Free Throw

Vincent Ray sank a free throw with seven seconds left to give College of the Canyons a 72-71 victory Wednesday over L.A. Valley in Valencia. Canyons clinched the Mountain Valley Conference championship with the win.

Valley tied the game, 71-71, with 1:23 left on a 20-foot jump shot by Larry Middleton. The Monarchs came back from a 10-point deficit with seven minutes to play.

Canyons was led by Pete Coeler with 17 points. Don White added 12 for the Cougars and Karl Tomkins finished with 13. Middleton led all scorers with 18 while Mario Lopez added 16 for the Monarchs.

Canyons, 8-1 in conference and 20-5 overall, earned a berth in the California Community College State Tournament. Valley fell to 4-5 in conference and 14-11 overall.