The Winnipeg Sea Bears and Brampton Honey Badgers emerged victorious in their conference finals, securing spots in the Canadian Elite Basketball League championship series. Xavier Moon guided the Sea Bears to a 107-96 win over the Vancouver Bandits, while the Honey Badgers defeated the Niagara River Lions 91-81. This championship series will be decided in a best-of-three format, a departure from the single-game format used in the past. The series will kick off on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET, with Brampton hosting Game 1 before shifting to Winnipeg for Game 2 and Game 3 if necessary.

Moon’s stellar performance, scoring 24 points, propelled the Sea Bears to their first-ever final. Simon Hildebrandt also contributed 24 points, with Isiah Osborne hitting the game-winning three-pointer. Moon and Hildebrandt’s sharp shooting, including four three-pointers each, helped Winnipeg secure their second playoff victory.

In a noteworthy return, Moon, 31, rejoined the CEBL this season after a five-year hiatus. The Brampton Honey Badgers saw standout performances from Sean East II, Trentyn Flowers, and Tyrese Hunter in their victory over the River Lions. East II led the team with 22 points, Flowers added 20, and Hunter hit a game-winning three-pointer among his 17 points. Khalil Ahmad of the River Lions recorded a game-high 30 points in the losing effort.

With this win, the Brampton Honey Badgers have the opportunity to join the exclusive club of teams that have clinched two CEBL championships, alongside Niagara and the Edmonton Stingers. The championship series promises to be an exciting showdown between the Sea Bears and the Honey Badgers, showcasing top-tier basketball talent in the CEBL.