The Winnipeg Sea Bears are Canadian Elite Basketball League champions for the first time after defeating the Brampton Honey Badgers 98-84 in the league’s single-game championship on Saturday.
With the target score set at 97, hometown hero Simon Hildebrandt hit the championship-winning three-pointer in front of a CEBL-record crowd of 12,519 at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg.
Three-time CEBL MVP Xavier Moon led the Sea Bears in scoring with 29 points, going three for four from three-point range, while adding seven rebounds and six assists.
Moon, who made his CEBL return this season after five years away, captured his third Finals MVP award after helping Winnipeg overcome the absence of injured star forward Teddy Allen.
Winnipeg Sea Bears defeat Brampton Honey Badgers to claim 1st CEBL championship title
"It's crazy to be back in this environment again. I mean, obviously, familiar territory for me for winning, but to do it in a city that's never won a playoff game, I think it means a lot more," said Moon.
"This one is a lot more special than the first one. So, like I've been saying, man, I'm happy for my teammates, and I'm happy for the city of Winnipeg."
Sea Bears guard Jelani Watson-Gayle hit a game-high five three-pointers off the bench.
Hildebrandt added four threes while finishing with 24 points.
Honey Badgers star Sean East II led his team with 27 points, with fellow guard Trentyn Flowers adding 20. Brampton trailed 46-42 at halftime and 73-60 heading into the final quarter.
"I'm just super happy for everybody that is out there celebrating today and that it came to fruition because the organization did definitely deserve a championship," said Sea Bears new head coach Mike Raimbault.
Winnipeg Sea Bears hoist the CEBL Championship Trophy for the first time
The CEBL championship was intended to be a three-game series concluding Sunday, but Wednesday's first game at Brampton's CAA Centre was suspended early due to condensation on the court, and then cancelled.
The league then said a three-game final couldn't be completed within the scheduled window, and after consulting with both clubs, opted to return to a single-game format used from 2019 to 2025 to determine the champion.
The Honey Badgers were looking to capture their second CEBL championship after winning the title in 2022, when the franchise was based in Hamilton.
