Sea Bears make Surge pay

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This article was published 29/07/2025 (345 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It was personal for the Winnipeg Sea Bears.

Last week, the Calgary Surge social media team made an Instagram post poking fun at the Sea Bears for having four players from their 2023 roster: Simi Shittu, Trevon Scott, Maurice Calloo and Jordy Tshimanga.

“At this point y’all aren’t building a roster — you’re building a fan page. See you Sunday,” wrote the Surge prior to Sunday’s showdown.

When the dust settled in Calgary, it was Winnipeg that had the last laugh as they prevailed 79-78 in dramatic fashion. After scoring the game-winning bucket off a nice dish by forward Emmanuel Akot, Shittu slammed the basketball over the Calgary bench and into the crowd before celebrating with teammates.

“It wasn’t something that was on our mind, but I mean, we saw it. They went out of their way to tag us. I’m like, it’s funny, ha, ha, ha, but like, grow up,” said Scott on Tuesday.

“We got real estate in their head over there. They just miss us, that’s all that it means.”

They certainly miss Shittu as the Canadian centre ate their lunch. He finished with 28 points, 15 points and three blocks. His biggest rejection came late when he swatted away a Sean Miller-Moore layup from behind that would’ve given the Surge the victory.

“When you talk about rundown blocks, everyone thinks about LeBron in (Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals on Golden State guard Andre Iguodala) and you think of these fantastic athletic plays, and that was right on par with it,” said Sea Bears head coach Mike Taylor.

“For Simi to make that play, it was something special. It was like an exclamation point that we’re ready to come back.”

Calgary had a dozen chances to hit the winning score and the Sea Bears trailed by as much as eight in Target Score Time before somehow pulling it out.

The Sea Bears are now 8-11 while the Surge, who were riding a four-game winning streak, fell to 13-6.

It’s the first time Winnipeg has left Cowtown with a win.

“There was a little tension going on there, and that (post) really what sparked it,” said Shittu.

“It was just a tough game against a good team, a physical game, and you know, I think everyone on our team wanted to win that game.”

Sunday also marked the debut of import guard Jarron Cumberland. The 27-year-old, who appeared in three games with the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers in 2021-22, signed on Friday. He played 16 minutes and picked up three points, three rebounds and three assists.

Cumberland — the MVP of the NBA G League’s Winter Showcase in 2021 — has never suited up in the CEBL but played four seasons at the University of Cincinnati alongside Scott.

“When Mike told me he was thinking of bringing him in, I was all for it. That’s my brother. We’re super close and had great chemistry in college,” said Scott.

“(He brings) a lot of versatility on both sides of the ball, a lot of playmaking, a lot of scoring, a lot of everything. He’s an all-around player and he affects the game in every category. It’s most definitely a positive for us.”

Adding Cumberland was necessary since point guard Terry Roberts, who left the team to play in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas with the Brooklyn Nets, has not returned to Winnipeg. Cumberland’s arrival gives the Sea Bears five imports, meaning one needs to sit out every game. Forward Jaylin Williams was the odd man out Sunday.

Players need to be on the active roster for at least three games to be eligible for post-season play.

“Everyone welcomed me, and I was appreciative. I felt good coming here,” said Cumberland, who was most recently in the NBA G League with the Delaware Blue Coats.

“Guys can feel some type of way (about someone now having to sit out), and I mean, it’s a job… People sacrifice being away from their family and everything, so, I understand if they feel some type of way. But the guys put their feelings aside and want the team to win.”

The Sea Bears have made five signings this month. With the CEBL’s transaction window now closed, bringing aboard an extra import was key just in case they lose one before hosting championship weekend (Aug. 22-24).

“There’s been a lot of roster moves, but it’s all been with a purpose,” said Taylor.

“We got respect for all our players, we love all our players. Last game it was Jaylin (sitting), but we’ll see. We’ve got to make game time decisions. We need to get to stability. We need to get the roster settled before we get to championship weekend. We want to kind of have an idea of the roles and team structure before we get to that point.”

The Sea Bears host the Saskatchewan Rattlers (5-14) Friday at 7:30 p.m.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca