The Brampton Honey Badgers and the Winnipeg Sea Bears emerged victorious in their conference finals on Saturday, securing spots in the Canadian Elite Basketball League championship series. The Sea Bears, led by three-time CEBL MVP Xavier Moon, defeated the Vancouver Bandits 107-96 in the Western Conference Final. On the other hand, the Honey Badgers overcame the Niagara River Lions 91-81 to claim the Eastern title.
This championship series marks the first time the league will be decided by a series rather than a single-game format. The series will kick off with Game 1 on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET, with Brampton hosting the initial game before moving to Winnipeg for Game 2 and potentially Game 3.
Moon shone brightly for the Sea Bears, scoring 24 points and helping propel his team to their first-ever final, despite the absence of star player Teddy Allen, who suffered serious injuries following an alleged assault by security personnel at a Winnipeg nightclub. Winnipeg native Simon Hildebrandt also played a crucial role, contributing 24 points to the victory, with Isiah Osborne sealing the win with a decisive three-point shot.
Moon and Hildebrandt’s combined effort, including four three-pointers each, led Winnipeg to their second playoff win. Moon, 31, made a noteworthy return to the CEBL this season after a five-year hiatus. Shamar Givance led Vancouver with 21 points, supported by Tevin Brown and reigning MVP Mitch Creek who added 19 points each.
For the Honey Badgers, Tyrese Hunter’s five three-pointers, including a game-winning shot, were instrumental in their triumph over the River Lions. Sean East II and Trentyn Flowers played stellar roles, scoring 22 and 20 points, respectively, in the victory at the CAA Centre. Khalil Ahmad stood out for the River Lions with a game-high 30 points.
Brampton now aims to join Niagara and the Edmonton Stingers as the only teams to secure two CEBL championships. The stage is set for an exciting championship series between the Brampton Honey Badgers and the Winnipeg Sea Bears, with both teams showcasing exceptional talent and determination on their path to the finals.