Winnipeg Sea Bears prepare for CEBL Championship weekend

On the eve of CEBL Championship Weekend, the host Winnipeg Sea Bears were back on the court Tuesday morning, in preparation for their semi-final clash with Calgary on Friday.

Come Friday, we’ll learn what’s more important, rest or momentum. As Winnipeg, recharged now 10 days removed from their regular season finale, will look to punch their ticket onto Sunday’s final, facing a Calgary team, fresh off a pair of impressive victories, knocking off two of the league’s best teams, to secure their stop in Winnipeg this week.

“We know these guys well, we’ve played them four times, the big focus for us is playing at our speed, taking care of the basketball, creating good shots on the offensive end so we can control the tempo, and obviously the transition defence, that’s where our focus is,” said Mike Taylor, the head coach of the Winnipeg Sea Bears.

“You know it’s the playoffs, nothing is guaranteed. You got to go out, play well, and earn it, and that is something our guys are prepared to do.”

The hometown Bears will have their hands full Friday, with one of the league’s most potent offences, featuring four players who averaged over 18 points per game during the regular season. Meaning in short, Jalen Harris and the rest of the Sea Bears will need to win as a team, if they want to play for a title on Sunday.

“I think we got to just guard them together, rely on the next man. Not necessarily think one person is going to stop them, but helping each other, being on a string, in big games like this is what will carry us to the top,” said Harris.

Reinforcements may be on the way for Winnipeg, prior to tipoff in the form of local star Emmanuel Akot, who had left the team earlier in August to represent South Sudan at Afrobasket.

With his tournament now over, Akot is attempting to make it back in time for Friday, but his status remains very much up in the air.

“All the Air Canada strikes and everything is really problematic right now, but for us, we are hoping he can return in time and be ready to help us. The plan is in place, and we’ll see how it gets executed over the next few days,” said Taylor.