After a run of 17 years, the Roger B. Chaffee High School basketball tournament came to a fitting conclusion on the weekend.

The end comes as a result of the impending closure of the United States Naval Air Station later this year and the players marked the finale with a rousing performance.

Reigning Bermuda School Sports Federation champions Mount Saint Agnes (MSA) captured the top prize, but it was their opponents in the final who raised the most eyebrows.

The unfancied Whitney Bulls produced a Cinderella run to rival that of the Denver Nuggets in last year's NBA play-offs.

First, the Bulls showed little gratitude to hosts Chaffee, beating the latter to move into the semi-finals where they similarly ousted Berkeley Institute.

And in the final against MSA it appeared from the outset as if the surprising Bulls might go all the way as they led at the half.

But a half-time pep talk got the Saints back on track and they proceeded to snatch a 69-60 victory.

Other Saints' victims along the way included St. George's and Northlands.

MSA's Kevin Mooney was named tournament MVP.