The Brampton Honey Badgers and the Winnipeg Sea Bears emerged victorious in their conference finals, securing spots in the Canadian Elite Basketball League championship series. The Sea Bears, led by three-time CEBL MVP Xavier Moon, defeated the top-seeded Vancouver Bandits 107-96, while the Honey Badgers overcame the Niagara River Lions 91-81 in the Eastern title game.
This championship will mark the first time the league winner will be determined through a series format instead of a single-game showdown. 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 Games 2 and 3, if required.
Xavier Moon, instrumental in the Sea Bears’ victory, scored 24 points, guiding his team to their first-ever final. Moon stepped up in the absence of Teddy Allen, who sustained serious injuries after an alleged altercation with nightclub security in downtown Winnipeg. Simon Hildebrandt, a Winnipeg native, also contributed significantly with 24 points, and Isiah Osborne sealed the win with a crucial three-pointer.
Moon and Hildebrandt’s combined efforts, including four three-pointers each, propelled Winnipeg to their second playoff win. Moon, at 31 years old, made a strong return to the CEBL this season after a five-year hiatus. On the opposing side, Shamar Givance led Vancouver with 21 points, supported by Tevin Brown and MVP Mitch Creek with 19 points each.
In the Eastern conference final, Tyrese Hunter’s game-winning three-pointer, his fifth of the game, secured the victory for the Honey Badgers against the River Lions. Sean East II shone with 22 points, aided by Trentyn Flowers with 20 points. Khalil Ahmad of the River Lions put up a game-high 30 points in the losing effort.
Brampton has the opportunity to join an elite group of teams, including Niagara and the Edmonton Stingers, as multiple-time CEBL champions. The upcoming championship series promises to be a thrilling showdown between the Honey Badgers and the Sea Bears, showcasing top-tier basketball talent in the CEBL.
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