Strengthened by transfer and WVU signee Noah Cottrill, the Logan High School boys’ basketball team will most likely challenge for the Class AAA state championship this season.

The West Virginia Sports Writers Association voters seem to think so.

The Wildcats were ranked No. 2 in the state in the Class AAA preseason poll which was released earlier in the week.

Logan, also led by junior all-stater Paul Williamson, received four out of the 10 first-place votes for second place.

The Wildcats open the season next Tuesday at home against county rival Man.

Logan then plays next Wednesday at 7 p.m. against Mountain State Academy in the Hoops Classic at the Charleston Civic Center. MSA is Cottrill’s old school.

The all-state guard also played his first two years at Poca High School before moving on to the Beckley school and then to Logan.

South Charleston was ranked No. 1 in the state with six first-place votes.

Wheeling Park was third, Martinsburg fourth and Beckley Woodrow Wilson fifth.

Cabell Midland, which knocked out Logan in last year’s Class AAA sectional tourney, was tied for sixth with Parkerburg South.

George Washington was eighth, Hedgesville ninth and Winfield and Spring Valley were tied for 10th.

In Class AA, Oak Hill got six first-place votes and was rated No. 1. Wyoming East was second, Sissonville third, Ravenswood fourth, Magnola fifth, Tug Valley sixth, Poca seventh, Weir eighth, Sherman ninth and Bluefield 10th. Westside and Scott were in the “others receiving votes” category.

In Class A, Wheeling Central was first, Charleston Catholic second, Trinity third, Parkersburg Catholic fourth, Tucker County fifth, Williamstown sixth, Mount Hope seventh, Gilmer County eighth and St. Marys ninth.

Pocahontas County and Matewan were tied for 10th. Gilbert also received votes.