The Winnipeg Sea Bears clinched their first-ever Canadian Elite Basketball League title by outplaying the Brampton Honey Badgers 98-84 in the championship match held on Saturday. Simon Hildebrandt, a local favorite, sealed the victory with a crucial three-point shot 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, shooting three for four from beyond the arc, and contributing seven rebounds and six assists. Despite the absence of injured star forward Teddy Allen, Moon’s stellar performance earned him the Finals MVP award for the third time since his return to the league this season.

Moon expressed his joy at winning the championship in a city that had never before celebrated a playoff victory, emphasizing the significance of this achievement. Jelani Watson-Gayle, the Sea Bears guard, impressed with five three-pointers, while Hildebrandt added four threes to his tally of 24 points.

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, Brampton couldn’t overturn the deficit.

Sea Bears’ new head coach Mike Raimbault praised the team’s effort and expressed his satisfaction with the championship win, highlighting the organization’s deservingness of the title. The CEBL championship, initially planned as a three-game series, was shifted to a single-game format following the cancellation of the second game due to court conditions. The Sea Bears emerged victorious after a competitive playoff run, defeating the Saskatoon Mamba and Vancouver Bandits in the West playoffs.

The Honey Badgers, seeking their second CEBL title after their 2022 triumph, unfortunately fell short in the final. East II acknowledged the team’s resilience and growth, despite the ultimate outcome not being in their favor.