Salamanca will take on Marcellus in the NYSPHSAA Class B semifinals at 7:45 p.m. today at Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls. File photo courtesy of Steve Garvey

The Salamanca boys basketball program has had quite a presence on social media, regularly providing updates on X, formerly known as Twitter, and on Facebook as they’ve chronicled their journey this season from the western Southern Tier to today’s New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class B semifinal at Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls.

One of the latest posts, which was found on Coach Adam Bennett’s Facebook page, came Tuesday from a fan of the Warriors, accompanied by a video that shows a boy shooting baskets in his driveway. It reads as follows:

“(We’re) going to the game Thursday not just to cheer for our home team, but because of this right here, Parker outside shooting around nonstop because he wants to be like Lucus (Brown) and dribble between his legs. He wants to be like (Jaxson Ross) and throw 3s, and perfect his layups like Avery (Brown). ALL the boys on this Warriors’ basketball team are not just talented players on the court, but they are also amazing role models off the court. I really hope they understand how many young kids are looking up to them.”

According to Bennett, that’s not a surprise.

“These guys deserve it,” he said. “They’ve put in a ton of work. I’ll take their work ethic against anybody. They practice really hard, they compete, you never have to tell them to play harder.”

It’s been that kind of winter for third-ranked Salamanca (20-5), which enters its 7:45 meeting tonight with No. 1 Marcellus (24-1) of Section III on a five-game winning streak, including a 56-52 win over Section V’s Avon in last Saturday’s Far West Regional.

Four Warriors — Lucus Brown, Ross, Maddox Isaac and Jacob Herrick — will be making their second appearance in the North Country, having been part of the team that reached the final four in 2022.

“The advantage to us is that we have four guys who have played on that floor and understand the operation. These are memories they’ll have for the rest of their lives,” Bennett said. “I’m thankful that those four get to relive them again and now we have 10 other guys who get to experience it, too.”

Lucus Brown, one of Western New York’s best players, will be joined in the starting lineup by junior Avery Brown, senior Ross, junior Isaac and junior Herrick. Junior Cory Holleran and sophomore Payton Bradley are the first subs off the bench.

Salamanca will certainly be challenged.

“They’re obviously very solid, they’ve been ranked No. 1 in the state pretty much the duration of the season and they’ve played a tough schedule,” Bennett said. “The thing that stands out about them is their ability to get the ball to the rim.”

Pacing Marcellus are junior Mitch Donegan and senior Will Kershaw, who scored 26 and 24 points, respectively, in their 75-43 regional win over Section IV Waverly.

“They can really fill it up,” Bennett said. “We’re going to have to guard them for 32 minutes on every inch of the court. … If we’re allowing them to penetrate deep to the basket, we’re in trouble. … We’re going to have to do a good job keeping them out of the paint, do a good job of keeping them in front of us and also do a good job of mixing things up and keeping them on their heels.”

The winner advances to the state championship game at 5:15 p.m. Friday against either No. 4 Woodlands (21-4) of Section I or No. 2 Stillwater (25-1) of Section II.

In the meantime, Bennett planned to take his team bowling and to lasertag after a Wednesday afternoon practice at Glens Falls High School.

“I want to try and clear their minds,” he said.