The Winnipeg Sea Bears triumphed over the Vancouver Bandits with a score of 107-96 in the Western Conference Final, led by Xavier Moon, securing their spot in the Canadian Elite Basketball League championship series against the Brampton Honey Badgers. On the other side, the Honey Badgers defeated the Niagara River Lions 91-81 in the Eastern Conference Final, setting the stage for a best-of-three series to determine the league champion.
This edition marks the first time the CEBL champion will be determined through a series format rather than a single-game format. The series will kick off with Game 1 scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET, to be broadcast on CBC Gem and CBCSports.ca. Brampton, as the lower seed, will host Game 1 before the action moves to Winnipeg for Games 2 and 3 if needed.
In the absence of injured star Teddy Allen, Moon propelled the Sea Bears to their first-ever final appearance with a stellar performance, scoring 24 points. Simon Hildebrandt, a Winnipeg native, also contributed 24 points, while Isiah Osborne sealed the victory with a crucial three-point shot to reach the winning score of 106 at the Langley Events Centre.
Moon and Hildebrandt’s combined efforts, including four three-pointers each, secured Winnipeg’s second playoff win. Moon, a 31-year-old player, made a successful return to the CEBL this season after a five-year hiatus. Meanwhile, in the losing effort, Shamar Givance led Vancouver with 21 points, supported by Tevin Brown and reigning MVP Mitch Creek with 19 points each, with Brown notably sinking five three-pointers.
On the Brampton side, Tyrese Hunter’s impressive five three-pointers, including a game-winning shot, helped the Honey Badgers defeat the River Lions. Sean East II starred with 22 points, alongside Trentyn Flowers who added 20 points in the victory at the CAA Centre. Khalil Ahmad of the River Lions led the game with 30 points.
Brampton now has the opportunity to join Niagara and the Edmonton Stingers as the only teams to secure two CEBL championships. The championship series promises to be an exciting battle between the Winnipeg Sea Bears and the Brampton Honey Badgers, showcasing top-tier basketball talent and competitive spirit.