The Winnipeg Sea Bears claimed 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, secured the victory with a three-pointer as the Sea Bears celebrated 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 contributing seven rebounds and six assists. Moon, making a comeback after five years, earned his third Finals MVP award, guiding Winnipeg to victory despite the absence of the injured star forward Teddy Allen.
Moon expressed his joy at winning in a city that had never seen a playoff victory before, emphasizing the significance of this win for him and his teammates. Jelani Watson-Gayle made a notable impact off the bench with five three-pointers, while Hildebrandt added four threes and finished with 24 points.
On the opposing side, Sean East II led the Honey Badgers with 27 points, supported by Trentyn Flowers with 20 points. The Honey Badgers trailed 46-42 at halftime and 73-60 going into the final quarter.
The Sea Bears’ head coach, Mike Raimbault, acknowledged the organization’s deserving championship win, expressing his happiness for the team and the fans. The CEBL championship, initially planned as a three-game series, had to revert to a single-game format due to scheduling constraints after the first game was canceled.
Both teams had fought through the playoffs to reach the final, with the Sea Bears overcoming the Saskatoon Mamba and Vancouver Bandits, and the Honey Badgers defeating the Ottawa BlackJacks and Niagara River Lions.
Despite the loss, East II reflected on the team’s achievements and the positive direction of the Brampton program.