The Portage Saints 13-14 girls basketball team won the Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association's Southwest Division Championship Sunday. The Saints defeated the unbeaten Southdale Lakers 33-17 in the final.

3 years ago the Saints lost every game of their opening season -- and only managed one win in their second -- but this year they became a dominant force in the league. Saints' 14-year-old Alyssa McLeod felt they came together at the perfect time to win.

"I thought that was probably our best game through the year, which was a good time to have our best game, and I think our defense is really good."

Aleisha Caners AND Alyssa McLeod

Saints' 13-year-old Aleisha Caners says all the hard work at practice, has translated onto the court.

"We started playing really well, and we'd look for the open players to pass to so we could score easier. We could see all the skills we worked on through the year, they started showing in our game."

McLeod adds they run a man-to-man defense, and they run it well.

"Our defense was probably our best strength, because everyone can do it, and everyone is strong at it."

The Saints now go for the Winnipeg City Championship Sunday.