Racial Mix of Officials Is Ordered : Boys’ basketball: Section says one referee at tonight’s Crescenta Valley-Muir rematch must be black.

The Southern Section has directed that a black official work tonight’s high school basketball game between Crescenta Valley and Muir because of complaints the two white officials in the teams’ first meeting were racially biased, said Bob McQueen, supervisor of officials for the San Gabriel Valley.

Crescenta Valley, a predominantly white school, defeated Muir, a predominantly black school, 74-72, on Jan. 22 at Crescenta Valley. In that game, Muir’s only Pacific League loss in three seasons, Muir was called for 22 fouls, Crescenta Valley for six.

Muir boosters complained to the Southern Section that the white officials favored Crescenta Valley.

Dean Crowley, in charge of basketball for the section, said the complaints were not made by anyone directly connected with Muir.

McQueen said two white officials were scheduled to work the rematch at Muir, but Crowley told him to replace one of the officials with a black official.

McQueen, who has been in his position for nine years, said it is the first time he has had to replace an official because of race.

“There have been certain requests to mix up a crew (racially) for football,” McQueen said, “but it never has gone quite this far.”

McQueen said the pool of officials for basketball is about 15% black.

Dick Flaherty, a former football coach at Saugus, and Nick Covella were the officials at the first Crescenta Valley-Muir game. Flaherty said he believed he and his partner were objective.

“I don’t think we did, I know we did a very solid job,” he said. “I heard no complaints from (Muir Coach) Rocky Moore or (Crescenta Valley Coach) John Goffredo and we heard very little from the stands.”

Tonight’s game, the regular-season finale for both teams, will affect the Pacific League race.

Muir (18-5, 8-1 in league play) has clinched a share of the title. With a victory tonight, Crescenta Valley (19-3, 7-2) would share the championship with Muir and possibly with Pasadena, which also is 7-2 in league play.