The championship series of the Canadian Elite Basketball League will feature the Brampton Honey Badgers against the Winnipeg Sea Bears. Both teams emerged victorious in their conference finals on Saturday. Xavier Moon, a three-time CEBL MVP, led the Sea Bears to a 107-96 win over the Vancouver Bandits in the Western Conference Final. Meanwhile, the Honey Badgers clinched the Eastern title by defeating the Niagara River Lions 91-81.
This year marks the first time the league champion will be determined by a series format rather than a single-game setup. The series will kick off with Game 1 scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET. Brampton, as the lower seed, will host Game 1 before the action moves to Winnipeg for Game 2 and potentially Game 3.
Moon played a pivotal role in securing the Sea Bears’ spot in the final, scoring 24 points in the absence of injured star Teddy Allen. Simon Hildebrandt, a native of Winnipeg, also contributed 24 points in the victory, with Isiah Osborne sealing the deal with a game-winning three-pointer.
Moon and Hildebrandt showcased their skills with four three-pointers each, propelling Winnipeg to their second playoff victory. Moon’s return to the CEBL this season after a five-year hiatus has been impressive. On the opposing side, Shamar Givance led Vancouver with 21 points, while Tevin Brown and reigning MVP Mitch Creek added 19 points each.
In another exciting match, Tyrese Hunter of the Brampton Honey Badgers scored a game-winning three-pointer, finishing with five for the day. The Honey Badgers’ victory over the River Lions was fueled by star player Sean East II’s 22 points and Trentyn Flowers’ 20 points.
Khalil Ahmad of the River Lions stood out with a game-high 30 points. With the potential to win their second CEBL championship, Brampton could join the exclusive ranks of Niagara and the Edmonton Stingers.
The upcoming championship series promises to be a thrilling clash between two formidable teams in the CEBL.