The Winnipeg Sea Bears secured their first Canadian Elite Basketball League title by defeating the Brampton Honey Badgers 98-84 in the championship game, held at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg. The victory came with a record crowd of 12,519 witnessing hometown hero Simon Hildebrandt sinking the game-winning three-pointer, surpassing the set target score of 97.
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, who returned to the CEBL after a five-year hiatus, clinched his third Finals MVP award, aiding Winnipeg in 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 achievement. Jelani Watson-Gayle and Hildebrandt made significant contributions off the bench, with Watson-Gayle hitting five three-pointers and Hildebrandt scoring 24 points, including four three-point shots.
On the opposing side, Sean East II led the Honey Badgers with 27 points, supported by Trentyn Flowers with 20 points. Despite trailing 46-42 at halftime and 73-60 going into the final quarter, the Honey Badgers fought valiantly but fell short.
The Sea Bears’ head coach, Mike Raimbault, commended the team and the organization for their deserving championship win. The CEBL championship, initially planned as a three-game series, reverted to a single-game format due to scheduling constraints after the first game was cancelled.
The Sea Bears overcame the Saskatoon Mamba and Vancouver Bandits in the West playoffs, while the Honey Badgers defeated the Ottawa BlackJacks and Niagara River Lions in the East playoffs to reach the final. Despite the loss, East II acknowledged the progress made by the Brampton team, expressing pride in their achievements.
The victory marked a historic moment for the Sea Bears and their loyal fans, with the team hoisting the CEBL Championship Trophy after a hard-fought battle against the Honey Badgers.