An outburst of joy filled Canada Life Centre on Saturday night when Winnipeg’s own Simon Hildebrandt nailed a remarkable three-point shot. The victory shot secured the Winnipeg Sea Bears their inaugural Canadian Elite Basketball League championship. Fans and players alike reveled in the moment, with confetti showering down and the anthem “We Are the Champions” blaring through the speakers following the team’s 98-84 triumph.
Reflecting on the unexpected win, Hildebrandt shared, “It was a spontaneous moment. I was completely blank, and then we all started celebrating.” This marked Winnipeg’s fourth season in the CEBL since its launch in 2026.
The significance of the win was not lost on Hildebrandt, who acknowledged the legacy of the late Chad Posthumus, another Winnipegger, who scored the game-winning basket in the team’s debut game back in 2023. Hildebrandt expressed his admiration for Posthumus, stating, “To be compared to that, to hit the final shot today, it’s truly special.”
Sea Bears’ head coach Mike Raimbault, who also coaches the University of Winnipeg men’s basketball team, shared a heartfelt moment with Posthumus’s parents during the celebratory aftermath. Raimbault believed that if Posthumus could have chosen who would score the game-winning basket, it would have undoubtedly been Simon.
In a remarkable turnaround, Sea Bears’ guard Xavier Moon, the CEBL finals MVP, led the team to victory with 29 points in Saturday’s game. Moon faced added pressure after key players like Teddy Allen were sidelined due to unforeseen circumstances.
Despite setbacks, the Sea Bears overcame challenges, including the departure of key players, and advanced through the playoffs with wins over tough opponents. The championship series against the Brampton Honey Badgers was condensed to a single game after court conditions forced a cancellation.
Moon, a previous CEBL champion with the Edmonton Stingers, emphasized the significance of winning in a city that had never experienced a playoff victory before. The Sea Bears also set a new attendance record, drawing 12,519 fans to the Canada Life Centre, surpassing the previous league record.
Looking ahead, Hildebrandt hopes that young basketball enthusiasts in Winnipeg draw inspiration from their historic win, showcasing that with dedication and hard work, anything is possible.