The Winnipeg Sea Bears clinched their first Canadian Elite Basketball League title by defeating the Brampton Honey Badgers 98-84 in the championship game on Saturday. Simon Hildebrandt, the hometown hero, scored the championship-winning three-pointer in front of a record crowd of 12,519 at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, with the target score set at 97.
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, who returned to the CEBL after five years, earned his third Finals MVP award, helping Winnipeg overcome the absence of the injured star forward Teddy Allen.
Moon expressed his joy for achieving the victory in a city that had never won a playoff game before, emphasizing the significance of this win for him and his teammates. Jelani Watson-Gayle, a Sea Bears guard, made an impact off the bench by hitting five three-pointers, while Hildebrandt contributed with 24 points, including four three-point shots.
On the opposing side, Honey Badgers’ star Sean East II led his team with 27 points, with Trentyn Flowers adding 20. Despite trailing 46-42 at halftime and 73-60 going into the final quarter, Brampton fought hard but fell short.
Sea Bears’ new head coach Mike Raimbault expressed his happiness for the team and the organization, stating that they truly deserved the championship. The CEBL championship was initially planned as a three-game series but reverted to a single-game format due to unforeseen circumstances during the first game.
The Sea Bears finished second in the Western Conference and defeated the Saskatoon Mamba and Vancouver Bandits in the playoffs to secure their spot in the final. The Honey Badgers, who finished second in the Eastern Conference, earned their place in the final by overcoming the Ottawa BlackJacks and Niagara River Lions in the East playoffs.
Despite the loss, East II acknowledged the team’s efforts in turning the Brampton program around, highlighting their resilience and growth.