The Winnipeg Sea Bears clinched their first-ever Canadian Elite Basketball League title by defeating the Brampton Honey Badgers with a final score of 98-84 in the league’s single-game championship on Saturday. The home team’s victory was sealed by Simon Hildebrandt’s championship-winning three-pointer, witnessed by a record-breaking crowd of 12,519 at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg.
Xavier Moon, a three-time CEBL MVP, shone for the Sea Bears with a game-high 29 points, shooting three out of four from beyond the arc, in addition to contributing seven rebounds and six assists. Moon, who made a triumphant return to the CEBL this season after a five-year hiatus, was awarded his third Finals MVP title for his pivotal role in Winnipeg’s success despite the absence of the injured star forward, Teddy Allen.
Moon expressed his elation about the win, emphasizing the significance of achieving victory in a city that had never previously won a playoff game. Jelani Watson-Gayle made a significant impact off the bench, sinking five three-pointers for the Sea Bears, while Hildebrandt contributed 24 points, including four three-pointers.
On the opposing side, Sean East II led the Honey Badgers with 27 points, supported by Trentyn Flowers with 20 points. Brampton trailed at halftime, with scores of 46-42, and heading into the final quarter at 73-60.
Sea Bears’ head coach, Mike Raimbault, expressed his joy for the team and the city of Winnipeg, emphasizing the deserving nature of the championship win. The CEBL championship was initially meant to be a three-game series but was reverted to a single-game format due to unforeseen circumstances, with the Sea Bears emerging victorious.
Both teams had navigated their way through the playoffs to reach the final, with the Sea Bears overcoming the Saskatoon Mamba and Vancouver Bandits in the West playoffs, and the Honey Badgers prevailing over the Ottawa BlackJacks and Niagara River Lions in the East playoffs.
Despite the loss, East II acknowledged the progress made by the Brampton program and the resilience shown by the team throughout the season.