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).”

The Wolves didn't exactly light it up from the floor, but their defense, both on the perimeter and in the interior, were good enough to keep the Warriors at bay even when the shots weren't falling.

Union Springs forward Julius McClary had his worst offense game of the season (two points) but he owned the paint on the defensive end, finishing with 15 rebounds and nine blocks. “That's what Julius does,” Darnell said. “He blocks shots, he erases a lot of our mistakes. He missed a lot of easy baskets but he didn't pout. He sucked it up and found a way to win.”

With McClary struggling offensively, Howell and fellow guard Pat Chandler seized the opportunity.

In addition to Howell's 17 points, Chandler added 13 points and hit two 3s, both in the second quarter, to bolster the Wolves' offense.

“Pat Chandler and Mike Howell stepped it up,” Darnell said. “These guys came out and took some pressure off the rest of our guys.”

“When teams play zone they key in on Julius and Devon (Brady),” Chandler said. “That leaves opportunities for guys like me and Mike.”

Union Springs held the lead for much of the first half but was never able to get out in front by more than three or four points.

The Wolves missed their final four shots of the half and Walton tied the score, 18-18, with a 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer.

“We went into the locker room and Coach said we haven't shown them how we're capable of playing,” Chandler said.

Darnell's team answered his call.

After a pair of Howell free throws gave Union Springs a 25-24 lead with 4:49 left in the third, the Wolves got back-to-back blocks from Brady and McClary and Chandler was able to convert a fast-break lay-up on a feed from Howell.

They wouldn't trail again.

“We were able to get out on the break more - that's when we're at our best,” Darnell said of the Wolves' third-quarter run. “That's our calling card.”

Brady chipped in with 12 points, five rebounds, two blocks and two steals for Union Springs.

A Section IV title is now within reach as the Wolves prepare themselves for a face-off with Oxford, a team that scores a lot (66.1 points per game), but one that recently lost by four to Walton.

“We've been talking about a sectional title all season,” Howell said. “This is what we've planned a prepared for. We're ready to go to the Arena.”