The Union Springs boys basketball team has captured a record four straight Cayuga County Holiday Tournament crowns - a burgeoning tradition that's beginning to rival that of the tournament itself.

In the Holiday Tournament's 33 years, never has a team dominated like the Wolves. Prior to 2004, no team had ever won the title more than twice in a row. Union Springs is hoping for its fifth in as many years.

But it won't come easy. Behind the dazzling play of MVP Bryan McClary, Tim Paoff and Pat Crowley, the Wolves barely broke a sweat in securing their fourth title. This season, Union Springs (4-2) has had to replace four starters lost to graduation and overcome an 0-2 start.

“We lost those first two close games, but they were games we could have won,” Union Springs coach Tim Darnell said. “We're playing a lot better. We've won four in a row and we'rekind of trying to clean up the mistakes. I definitely think the kids are responding and playing more to the way we want them to play. We've improved dramatically from the first to the sixth game.”

Union Springs will face Port Byron (3-3) in Thursday's semifinal game starting at 6 p.m., and host Weedsport will play Southern Cayuga in the 8 p.m. game. The tournament will be played at Cayuga Community College.

The Wolves are led by a trio of players. Junior forward Devon Brady is the team's leading scorer with 13.7 points per game. Big man Julius McClary (12.0 ppg, 12.2 rpg) is a force in the paint, while guard Mark Rodriguez has upped his scoring (11.8 ppg) and is the team's main distributor (3.7 apg).

Despite his team's recent advances, Darnell expects the games to be more competitive than recent years.

“It's going to be a challenge and we look forward to it,” he said. “I've seen Port Byron play ... and I know they play a very good game. We're going to have our hands full with whoever we play.”

And as for the win streak, Darnell knows the school, the fans and his players put a lot of merit in that sort of thing.

“I know our kids take a lot of pride in this tourney,” Darnell said. “We're expecting a battle and are just looking to improve with each game.”

Weedsport (3-4) is coming off a convincing win over Port Byron, while Southern Cayuga (0-5) is still looking for its first win. The Warriors are starting to mesh both offensively and defensively and are hoping a good showing at the Holiday Tournament could propel them into the season's second half.

In fact, Weedsport won the consolation game last year and used the momentum to run off six straight victories following the tournament.

On the girls side, Weedsport (3-3) looks to defend its 2005 title but must overcome some erratic play of late.

The Warriors started the season 2-0 but have lost three of their last four, including a seven-point loss to local rival Skaneateles.

Weedsport was the first Section III girls team to win the Holiday Tournament since its inception in 1999. Southern Cayuga and Union Springs have three titles apiece.

The Warriors face Southern Cayuga in Wednesday's night cap, while Union Springs takes on Port Byron in the 6 p.m. game.

The Chiefs, led by Molly Osterhoudt and Colleen Lukas, will have to step up defensively to contain the inside-outside combo of Jessica Hoffman and Kaitlin Hammersley. Hoffman is a dangerous 3-point specialist while Hammersley is averaging a double-double.

The Warriors have struggled to score lately so the Chiefs would benefit from a low-scoring game.

Port Byron (1-5) is looking to end a three-game skid against Union Springs (2-4). Shelby Gilbert, Kaitlynne Knapp and Missy Deyo lead the Panthers while Stephanie Jakaub (8.6 ppg) and Devon Gary (6.0 ppg, 10.4 rpg) lead the Wolves.