Kathmandu, July 2:

Depot Secondary School of Sunsari claimed the Xavier International first Inter-school U-17 National Basketball Championship with a comfortable 64-41 win over Daffodil School in final here at the National Sports Council covered hall today.

Depot never conceded the lead in the entire match. The Dharan-based school took a 10-point lead (17-7) in the opening quarter and although they scored seven giving away 14 points in the second quarter, they still mantained three-point lead over Daffodil going into the third quarter.

Depot cruised to an easy victory adding 22 and 18 points in the last two quarters giving away just six and 14 points to Daffodil of Kathmandu. Bhupal Rai, who was later declared the the Most Valuable Player, contributed a match-winning 24 points. Nawang Chhimi Sherpa netted 18 points for Daffodil. Rai received a Samsung computer for his performance.

In all, 14 teams — eight from Kathmandu Valley and six from outside the Valley — participated in the tournament organised by Nepal Basketball Association. Dabur Glucose D was the main sponsor and Xavier International College the title sponsor of the event.

Minister for Education and Sports Pradeep Nepal and vice-president of National Sports Council Sitaram Maskey among others gave away the prizes.