The Winnipeg Sea Bears clinched their first-ever Canadian Elite Basketball League title by defeating the Brampton Honey Badgers 98-84 in the league’s championship game held on Saturday. The game saw Simon Hildebrandt, a local hero, sealing the victory with a three-pointer in front of a record crowd of 12,519 at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg.
Xavier Moon, a three-time CEBL MVP, led the Sea Bears with 29 points, shooting three out of four from beyond the arc, along with contributing seven rebounds and six assists. Moon, who returned to the CEBL this season after a five-year hiatus, earned his third Finals MVP accolade for his stellar performance that helped Winnipeg overcome the absence of the injured star forward Teddy Allen.
Moon expressed his joy at winning the championship in a city that had never before won a playoff game, emphasizing the significance of the victory. Jelani Watson-Gayle, a guard for the Sea Bears, made a notable impact off the bench by sinking five three-pointers, while Hildebrandt scored 24 points, including four three-pointers.
On the opposing side, Sean East II led the Honey Badgers with 27 points, supported by Trentyn Flowers who added 20 points. Despite trailing at halftime, Brampton couldn’t catch up in the final quarter as the Sea Bears secured the victory.
The Sea Bears’ head coach, Mike Raimbault, expressed his happiness at the team’s success, highlighting the organization’s deserving championship win. The championship match was originally planned as a three-game series but reverted to a single-game format due to scheduling constraints after the initial game was called off because of court conditions.
The Sea Bears, who claimed the second spot in the Western Conference, navigated through the playoffs by defeating the Saskatoon Mamba and Vancouver Bandits. The Honey Badgers, finishing second in the Eastern Conference, advanced by overcoming the Ottawa BlackJacks and Niagara River Lions.
Despite the loss, East II acknowledged the team’s efforts and the progress made by the Brampton program. The Sea Bears’ victory marked a historic moment in the franchise’s journey in the CEBL.