The Winnipeg Sea Bears clinched their first Canadian Elite Basketball League championship by defeating the Brampton Honey Badgers 98-84 in the league’s single-game championship on Saturday. Simon Hildebrandt, a local favorite, sealed 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 for four from beyond the arc, and contributed seven rebounds and six assists. Moon, making a comeback after a five-year hiatus, earned his third Finals MVP accolade, aiding Winnipeg in overcoming the absence of injured star forward Teddy Allen.
“It’s amazing to be back in this atmosphere. Winning is familiar to me, but achieving it in a city that had never won a playoff game holds special meaning,” Moon expressed. “This victory is more significant than the first one. I’m thrilled for my teammates and the city of Winnipeg.”
Jelani Watson-Gayle, a guard for the Sea Bears, made a notable impact off the bench by sinking a game-high five three-pointers. Hildebrandt also shined with four three-pointers and a total of 24 points. On the opposing side, Sean East II led the Honey Badgers with 27 points, supported by Trentyn Flowers who added 20 points. Brampton trailed 46-42 at halftime and 73-60 heading into the final quarter.
“We are ecstatic for everyone celebrating today. The championship was well-deserved by the organization,” stated Sea Bears’ new head coach Mike Raimbault.
Originally planned as a three-game series concluding on Sunday, the CEBL championship faced disruptions when the first game was suspended and then cancelled due to court condensation. Following discussions with both teams, the league reverted to a single-game format to determine the champion. The Honey Badgers sought their second CEBL title after winning in 2022, while the Sea Bears secured their path to the final by defeating the Saskatoon Mamba and Vancouver Bandits. The Honey Badgers earned their final spot by overcoming the Ottawa BlackJacks and Niagara River Lions.
“We fought hard and dealt with adversity. Although it wasn’t the outcome we desired, we turned the Brampton program around, and that’s a significant achievement,” reflected East II.