It was a first-time experience for the Logan High School tennis team to compete in a regional tournament at home.

The Wildcats got that chance on Friday as the Class AAA region tourney was moved to Logan due to rain.

With heavy rain coming down Friday morning, regional tourney officials decided to move the tourney from Charleston to the indoor courts at the Chief Logan Rec Center. Then when the sun came out and the LHS outdoor tennis courts dried, some matches were moved there as well.

It was a historical day for Logan tennis as several qualified for this week’s state tournament at Charleston.

It all happened on Logan’s home courts.

“For the first time in history officials decided to play day two of regional tournament in Logan,” Logan coach Justin Turner said. “There were no indoor courts available in Charleston during the morning or afternoon. We offered the recreation center in Logan and they took us up on the offer. In tennis the regional for Logan is always played in Charleston. The sun came out so we put the eight boys teams at the Recreation Center and the eight girls teams on the five LHS tennis courts. People and teams from Greenbrier East, Princeton, Beckley, GW, St. Albans, Capital and South Charleston were here and all got a taste of the fine community we have in Logan.

“People like Terri Mullins and Wally Thornhill, who opened up the Rec Center for us, as well as principal Robert Lucas, who allowed us to use courts, and Dale Browning, for getting all of the water off of them, were all a big help. It was a tremendous experience.”

Advancing to the state tourney were Logan No. 1 singles player Zack Hatfield and No. 2 Tyler Norman, who lost 8-3 to a GW player in the championship match.

Logan’s Keith Williamson also made it to state with a runner-up finish in the No. 3 singles as he lost 8-1 to a GW player in the finals.

In the No. 4 singles, Logan’s Tyler Howerton also advanced to state with a runner-up finish. He lost a narrow 8-6 decision to a GW netter in the championship.

Also advancing to state earlier on Thursday in Charleston were: No. 1 doubles team of Hatfield and Williamson, No. 2 doubles team Norman and Howerton and No. 3 doubles Jacob Adkins and Logan Adkins.

No. 1 girls’ singles player Lauren Chambers also qualified.

“I was very proud of all our players, especially Logan and Jacob Adkins at three doubles who had to win out to move on,” Coach Turner said. “They made it to that last match and played well but didn’t get the win. Senior Jenna Turner was right there as well at the match to go to state. Senior Rebecca Canterbury played well in this tournament as did our freshmen Hannah Lester and Brooke Mollett. I was very proud of the respect and politeness that our kids had and already have had. They made Logan High School very proud once again. When other coaches come up and commend our players on their attitudes that shows how respected they are from players and coaches around the state. While some other coaches act disrespectful towards opponents, we are better than that and shake hands win or lose. It’s better to be a bigger person and show respect than win and be boastful.

“We take great pride in our tennis program and I’m sure the kids will once again give everything they have on the courts in the state tournament.”

The Class AAA state tennis tourney is set for Thursday through Saturday at Coonskin Park in Charleston.