Prep ready for Mansfield in D1 state boys hoop semis

When you say “30s and 40s,” you might think of the average temperature in New England this time of year. However, those numbers represent the amount of points that Mansfield has held its opponents per game in the state tournament thus far. St. John’s Prep coach Sean Connolly – whose team plays Mansfield in the D1 state hoop semis tonight (TD Garden, 7:45) is well aware of that fact.”They’re very good on defense,” Connolly said. “Forty-six was the most points (scored against Mansfield).”As you might expect, Mansfield – led by star player Michael Lofton – has done very well in the win-loss column this year, with only two defeats in the regular season.”They’re as good as any team going up against us,” Connolly said. “They play a tough schedule.”On Mansfield’s schedule was The Prep’s fellow Catholic Conference team, BC High, “but I haven’t talked to them (about Mansfield),” Connolly said.Still, the Prep coach knows what his team must do to advance to the state final.”We want to do a good job, pressure their guards, make them have to work,” Connolly said. “Keep (Lofton) out of the lane. He’s 6-5 and he’s strong athletically in the lane.”The Eagles enter the game after downing Lawrence in the North final this past weekend.”I think we’re all rested,” Connolly said. “We had a day off.”St. John’s has not played in the state semifinals in 37 years, when it advanced to the state final and lost. The program has never won a state title.As for Connolly, the closest his Bishop Fenwick teams came in his student days was the North final.The coach describes the mood of his current team as upbeat.”We’re excited,” he said. “It’s another game at the Garden.”NOTES: Connolly, an Ohio State University alum, is also excited about the Buckeyes’ chances in the NCAA tournament, where they are the overall top seed. “I like the team,” he said. “They’re well-balanced. They have a good shot to do damage and hopefully win it.”