Union Springs boys basketball team advances to sectional finals

DRYDEN -- Mike Howell's responsibility is clear -- guard the opposition's best player.

It's not the cushiest job in the world, but the Union Springs senior has established himself as a lockdown defender.

In Tuesday's Section IV, Class C semifinal match-up with fourth-seeded Walton, Howell had the unenviable task of guarding Patrick O'Brien, the Warriors leading scorer who dropped 22 points in a quarterfinal victory over Groton.