The Winnipeg Sea Bears secured their inaugural Canadian Elite Basketball League championship by defeating the Brampton Honey Badgers 98-84 in the league’s single-game title match on Saturday. Simon Hildebrandt, a local favorite, clinched the victory with a crucial three-pointer in front of a record-breaking 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, including a stellar performance from beyond the arc, along with seven rebounds and six assists. Moon, making a triumphant return to the CEBL after a five-year hiatus, earned his third Finals MVP accolade by guiding Winnipeg to victory despite the absence of injured star forward Teddy Allen.
Expressing his joy, Moon stated, “It’s incredible to be back in this setting. Winning is familiar to me, but achieving it in a city that has never won a playoff game holds special meaning.” Sea Bears’ guard Jelani Watson-Gayle contributed significantly with five three-pointers, while Hildebrandt added four threes to his 24-point tally. On the opposing side, Sean East II led the Honey Badgers with 27 points, supported by Trentyn Flowers’ 20 points. Brampton trailed 46-42 at halftime and 73-60 going into the final quarter.
Head coach Mike Raimbault expressed his pride, saying, “I’m extremely happy for everyone celebrating today. This championship is well-deserved by the organization.” The CEBL championship series was initially planned as a three-game showdown but was altered due to unforeseen circumstances. The Honey Badgers, seeking their second title after their 2022 victory in Hamilton, faced a tough challenge from the Sea Bears, who advanced to the final by defeating the Saskatoon Mamba and Vancouver Bandits in the West playoffs.
Despite the disappointing outcome, East II acknowledged their team’s efforts, saying, “We fought hard, overcame obstacles, and made significant strides with the Brampton program. There’s pride in that accomplishment.”