The Winnipeg Sea Bears and the Brampton Honey Badgers emerged victorious in their respective conference finals, securing their 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 in the Eastern Conference Final.

This year marks the first time the CEBL champion will be determined through a series format rather than a single-game setup. The championship series will kick off with Game 1 scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET. Brampton, as the lower seed, will host the first game before the series shifts to Winnipeg for Game 2 and potentially Game 3.

Moon, alongside Winnipeg native Simon Hildebrandt, played pivotal roles in securing the Sea Bears’ spot in the final. Moon scored a game-high 24 points, filling the void left by the injured star Teddy Allen. Hildebrandt also contributed 24 points, with Isiah Osborne sealing the victory with a game-winning three-point shot.

In a hard-fought battle, Moon and Hildebrandt’s combined four three-pointers helped Winnipeg clinch their second playoff win. Moon’s return to the CEBL this season after a five-year absence proved successful, showcasing his prowess on the court.

For the Honey Badgers, Tyrese Hunter’s impressive performance, including a game-winning three-pointer, propelled them to victory. Sean East II and Trentyn Flowers also played key roles, scoring 22 and 20 points, respectively. Khalil Ahmad led the River Lions with 30 points in a losing effort.

With the upcoming championship series, Brampton aims to join Niagara and the Edmonton Stingers as the only teams to secure two CEBL championships. The stage is set for an exciting showdown between the Sea Bears and the Honey Badgers in the upcoming series.