AUBURN — Union Springs boys basketball finished two days of dominance with another Cayuga County Holiday Basketball Tournament title.Â
The Wolves defeated reigning champion Southern Cayuga 77-50 on Saturday to win its second holiday tournament championship in three years, tying Weedsport for the most titles (16) in the tournament's 51-year history.Â
Union Springs jumped out to a 25-9 first-quarter lead, largely due to Cooper DeChick's outside shooting — he had three threes in the period — and 9 points from Nevin Brown.Â
The offensive onslaught continued in the second quarter. Brown and Rocco Testa hit threes to help put the Wolves ahead by 20, 42-22, at halftime.Â
Southern Cayuga tried to get some momentum going in the third quarter, with Isaac Brozon draining a three and Kyler Colton scoring 7 points in the period. But Union Springs did not stop converting at the offensive end. A Carter Botindari three put the Wolves up 26 late in the third.Â
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In the fourth, Union Springs sealed its tournament title. DeChick and Testa hit threes and Brown chipped in with a few more buckets.Â
After the final buzzer, Brown delivered a two-handed dunk. The shot didn't count, but it was an exclamation point for what the Wolves did to their opponents over the past two days.Â
Union Springs advanced to the championship game with a 95-44 win over Port Byron. The games were similar, with the Wolves jumping out to double-digit leads early in the first quarter.Â
Union Springs' Aaron Johnson, who scored 14 points in the title game, was named tournament MVP. He was joined by Brown, who scored 23 against Southern Cayuga, on the all-tournament team.Â
Brozon, who was the tournament MVP last year, represented Southern Cayuga on the all-tournament team. He scored 25 in the loss to Union Springs.Â
Gallery: Union Springs boys rout Southern Cayuga for holiday tournament title
Union Springs' Aaron Johnson steals the ball from Southern Cayuga's Isaac Brozon in the 51st annual Cayuga County Holiday Basketball Tournament championship game at Cayuga Community College.
Union Springs' Nevin Brown is surrounded by Southern Cayuga defenders in the 51st annual Cayuga County Holiday Basketball Tournament championship game at Cayuga Community College Dec. 28.
Union Springs head coach Dan Cerro and his players celebrate a 3-pointer against Southern Cayuga in the 51st annual Cayuga County Holiday Basketball Tournament championship game at Cayuga Community College.
Southern Cayuga head coach Nick Dec huddles with his players during a timeout against Union Springs in the 51st annual Cayuga County Holiday Basketball Tournament championship game at Cayuga Community College.
Union Springs' Carter Botindari strips the ball from Southern Cayuga's Isaac Brozon in the 51st annual Cayuga County Holiday Basketball Tournament championship game at Cayuga Community College.
Union Springs' Nevin Brown blocks a shot by Southern Cayuga's Isaac Brozon in the 51st annual Cayuga County Holiday Basketball Tournament championship game at Cayuga Community College.
Union Springs' Rocco Testa tries to shoot over Southern Cayuga's Benjamin Kermidas in the 51st annual Cayuga County Holiday Basketball Tournament championship game at Cayuga Community College.
Union Springs' Orion Rusinko battles Southern Cayuga's Benjamin Kermidas for a rebound in the 51st annual Cayuga County Holiday Basketball Tournament championship game at Cayuga Community College.
Union Springs' Aaron Johnson scores on a fast break against Southern Cayuga in the 51st annual Cayuga County Holiday Basketball Tournament championship game at Cayuga Community College Dec. 28.
Southern Cayuga's Jordan Heiman had to leave with an ankle injury against Union Springs in the 51st annual Cayuga County Holiday Basketball Tournament championship game at Cayuga Community College.
Union Springs' Cooper DeChick shoots a 3-pointer against Southern Cayuga in the 51st annual Cayuga County Holiday Basketball Tournament championship game at Cayuga Community College.
Union Springs' Cooper DeChick watches his 3-point shot against Southern Cayuga in the 51st annual Cayuga County Holiday Basketball Tournament championship game at Cayuga Community College.
Union Springs' Rocco Testa drives to the basket against Southern Cayuga in the 51st annual Cayuga County Holiday Basketball Tournament championship game at Cayuga Community College.
Union Springs' head coach Dan Cerro celebrates with his players as time runs out against Southern Cayuga in the 51st annual Cayuga County Holiday Basketball Tournament championship game at Cayuga Community College.
Government reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 664-4631 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on X @RobertHarding.
Robert Harding
Online producer/politics reporter
