The Winnipeg Sea Bears added another pair of awards to their trophy case on Tuesday.
The pro basketball club was named the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s franchise of the year after finishing tied for the second-best regular season record (12-8) and setting multiple attendance records in its inaugural season.
The Sea Bears set attendance records for a single game (10,580) in the play-in round of the playoffs, a regular-season game (8,230) in the regular-season finale and for a full season, with 65,609 fans coming out over 11 games at Canada Life Centre.
BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS files The Winnipeg Sea Bears set numerous CEBL attendance records in their inaugural season.
Winnipeg came up just short in a thrilling Western Conference play-in game, falling 87-81 to the Edmonton Stingers, the final chapter of a phenomenal first season.
The organization hosted the seven highest-attended games in league history.
Sea Bears president Jason Smith also won the league’s Team Executive of the Year award, assembling a staff and roster that included the CEBL’s most valuable player (Teddy Allen), sixth man of the year (Jelani Watson-Gayle), U Sports player of the year (Simon Hildebrant and coach of the year (Mike Taylor).
“This is truly an award for our city,” Smith said of the club’s Franchise of the Year award. “Our amazing fanbase has come together and created something special in Winnipeg.
We continue to be blown away by their support and are committed to creating wonderful experiences for them on and off the court for years to come.”
Joshua Frey-Sam
Reporter
Joshua Frey-Sam happily welcomes a spirited sports debate any day of the week.
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