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.

And he did his job.

Howell was in O'Brien's face from the opening tip, holding Walton's top weapon to just 11 points as the Wolves pulled away in the second half to claim a 48-33 victory.

Top-seeded Union Springs (19-3) will play No. 3 Oxford (18-3) in the sectional finals at 6:45 p.m. Saturday at the Broome County Arena.

Open looks were limited for O'Brien, who was forced to give up the ball often as Howell trailed him all over the court.

Plus, five of O'Brien's 11 points came when the game was out of hand.

“That was pretty much the game plan," Howell said. "He didn't really score a lot. I just tried to get right in his face."

But Howell's impact wasn't just felt on the defensive end. He poured in 17 points, his second highest total of the season, and hit two 3s during a decisive 13-2 run in the second half.

"Mike did a real good job defending O'Brien," Union Springs coach Tim Darnell said. "I couldn't have asked for a better job. As a team, we tried to trap and force the ball out of his hands. That's as good as you'll see anyone defend (O'Brien)."