Hey now, you’re All-Stars

It truly speaks volumes about the success of your program when you can send four players to two different showcases to end their high-school careers.

Kensley Phillips and Bo Rattler donned the black and gray one last time for Saturday’s 1A West/Midwest All-Star Game, while Desta Trammell and Brock Adams reported for duty on behalf of Robbinsville to the WNC Rankings Report All-Star Game.

Each of the four left an indelible mark on Robbinsville’s basketball legacy.

And each had a unique take on being an All-Star.

West represents

Bessemer City – Phillips was afforded a $250 scholarship on behalf of the West/Midwest administrators at a pre-game banquet, but knew she had to bring her ‘A’ game when the exhibition itself tipped off at Bessemer City High School.

“I honestly thought this was going to be something like the women’s league games at Snowbird before I went; but when I got to the gym, I knew I was wrong,” said Phillips. “We started off with practice that morning and everyone was legit. They were all trying to show out for all of the coaches there. We started playing and everyone was playing their hardest and even getting a little aggravated on the court.”

That’s the funny thing about an All-Star Game; often, you go from standing on the other side of the floor from a player to being tasked with calling them a “teammate” and working together for the greater good. Phillips was on the floor with athletes from Blue Ridge School, Cherokee, Hayesville, Highlands, Hiwassee Dam and Swain County – the majority of which she had grown up playing against.

But from the opening tip, the fluidity was there. Everything clicked. The West had opened a 42-35 lead over the Midwest by halftime, but it took players like Phillips – who turned in the same well-rounded performance that made her a feared player in the Smoky Mountain Conference from 2019-23 (9 points, 5 steals, 4 rebounds, 3 assists) – to keep things rolling.

Eventually, the West had driven the final tally to 93-76. Blue Ridge School’s Mahalah Stewart was deemed the game’s MVP, as the Cashiers resident turned heads with 22 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. Another Little Smoky Mountain Conference athlete – Hiwassee Dam’s Kiera Taylor – unleashed 16 points, while tacking on a pair of assists and rebounds.

“We competed throughout the whole game and had to play our best to be able to score any points,” Phillips assessed. “It is super cool how we play with players we have played against all year and it is funny how well you can get along with those girls – even though they are your target in regular season.”

Reality set in for Phillips after the pomp and circumstance of Saturday’s game in suburban Charlotte ended.

“Getting to play my last game and finally having to hang up my jersey, clean out my locker, put my hands up in the locker room, etc., is always going to be emotional,” Phillips admitted. “It didn’t hit me until I had to clean out all of my things and finally had to walk off the court for one last time. It’s especially sad because other than volleyball, basketball is my favorite sport and I have played since I was little.

“To know that I won’t put on a Robbinsville jersey to play anymore is sad, but I am glad we finished off the season by making history and nobody will forget what we did the last time in those jerseys.”

Rattler finished the West/Midwest finale with four points, three rebounds and one steal to his credit. The 1A Midwest dictated the outcome from the get-go, sprinting to a 16-3 lead and never looking back in a 110-73 win.

But for Rattler, the final score meant nothing: receiving the invitation was fulfilling enough.

“This meant a lot to me, because I’ve always wanted to be an All-Star for my senior year,” said Rattler. “It was a fun day; it was odd practicing with people i’ve played against while growing up, but overall the banquet and the game was very fun to be a part of.”

Much like the Lady Knights’ historic run to the 1A Western finals, Robbinsville’s boys extended their undefeated streak at home to 16 games; went 5-0 in overtime games (including two that went to double overtime); won both their first conference title and tournament in a decade; and ultimately advanced to the Sweet 16 of the postseason.

And Rattler was there, as a key contributor to Robbinsville’s 2022-23 thrill ride.

“It is very emotional to finally hang up my jersey,” Rattler said. “I didn’t really think it would happen so quickly, but the past four years has been so much fun.

“I will never forget this year; our team had accomplished so much and showed how much we love the sport.”

Highly ranked

Swannanoa – Roughly 1 ½ hours northwest, Trammell and Adams were able to keep their Knights’ shorts on full display – but were wrapped in bright-red tops at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa.

Trammell suited up for a team that prevailed 76-73 in overtime; Adams was a member of a line-up that dropped a 113-108 dual.

Both faced quite the conundrum before the showcase, however; the WNC Rankings Report All-Star Game selected the players after the West/Midwest All-Star line-ups had been announced.

They were both double-booked. The games tipped off 30 minutes apart; the distance too great to play in both.

“I have known for a couple weeks that I was picked for the West vs Midwest and the Rankings Report game; it was a hard choice to choose from, knowing that both games would be good,” Trammell explained. “It means a lot knowing that I was picked for these games. There are a ton of great girls basketball players in North Carolina and to be considered one of those is an honor.

“The experience was great; I loved being able to play one more time with girls that I grew up playing travel ball with and also against in travel ball. The game was very competitive and everybody got to show off their skills and abilities – and the atmosphere was awesome.

“Playing in a WNC All-Star game with many of my AAU teammates and friends was something amazing and fun,” Adams said. “I have enjoyed playing for Robbinsville and the fan base more than anything and I will miss it dearly. I put up 16 points in the All-Star game and it was super fun, with lots of loaded talent.”

And the conclusion of their respective high school journeys hit Trammell and Adams just as hard as Phillips and Rattler.

“There is a lot of emotion that goes into this being my last basketball game as a Black Knight, but hopefully I will be playing at the next level,” Adams proposed. “Leaving a legacy in Robbinsville basketball history was one of my goals going into the season and – as a team – we accomplished those goals. We went undefeated at home, and won the conference and tournament championships.

“Going out the way we did was truly amazing. Also, being picked as one of the best players in Western North Carolina was truly a blessing; it shows how hard work pays off.”

“Having to finally hang up my jersey is really sad,” Trammell added. “Lady Knights basketball has always been a part of me and is something that has grown with me.

“Knowing that I will never compete again for Robbinsville High School is hard to accept, but I am thankful for the opportunity to represent Robbinsville all these years.”