The Winnipeg Sea Bears and the Brampton Honey Badgers secured victories in their respective conference finals on Saturday, setting up a showdown in the Canadian Elite Basketball League championship series. In the Western Conference Final, the Sea Bears, led by three-time CEBL MVP Xavier Moon, defeated the Vancouver Bandits 107-96. Meanwhile, the Honey Badgers emerged victorious over the Niagara River Lions with a score of 91-81 in the Eastern Conference Final.
This championship series will be the first in the league’s history to be decided by 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 and will be broadcast on CBC Gem and CBCSports.ca. The full live streaming schedule can be found on the CBC Sports website. Brampton, as the lower seed, will host Game 1 before the series moves to Winnipeg for Game 2 and potentially Game 3.
Moon played a pivotal role in leading the Sea Bears to their first-ever final, scoring 24 points in the absence of injured star player Teddy Allen. Simon Hildebrandt, a Winnipeg native, also contributed significantly to the Sea Bears’ victory with 24 points, including the game-winning three-pointer by Isiah Osborne.
Both Moon and Hildebrandt showcased impressive performances, each sinking four three-pointers to secure Winnipeg’s second playoff victory. Moon, who returned to the CEBL after a five-year hiatus, displayed his prowess on the court. On the opposing side, Shamar Givance led the Vancouver Bandits with 21 points, while Tevin Brown and reigning MVP Mitch Creek added 19 points each in the losing effort.
In the game between the Honey Badgers and the River Lions, Brampton’s Tyrese Hunter made a game-winning three-pointer, finishing with five three-pointers overall. Sean East II and Trentyn Flowers shone for the Honey Badgers, scoring 22 and 20 points, respectively, in the victory. Khalil Ahmad led the River Lions with 30 points.
With this win, Brampton aims to join the ranks of Niagara and the Edmonton Stingers as the only teams to clinch two CEBL championships. The upcoming championship series promises an exciting showdown between the Sea Bears and the Honey Badgers, showcasing top-tier basketball talent.