Robbinsville – With football season over, the Robbinsville basketball program finally tipped off its 2019-20 campaign on Dec. 19.
But playing host to the Smoky Mountain Mustangs (3-4), the Black Knights (0-2, 0-1) started the year off on a sour note, dropping a 75-39 affair.
Chris Wright led Robbinsville with nine points and three rebounds. Also scoring was Brock Adams 8, Landyn Hall 5, Hunter Brooks 5, Nathan Collins 4, Carson Eller 3, Seth Lawson 2, Bryce Teesateskie 2 and Drey Keener 1.
The Knights then traveled to Hayesville (5-1, 4-0) for the Smoky Mountain Conference opener Friday. Robbinsville hung tough with the reigning division champions – only trailing 28-26 at the break – but ultimately fell 66-51.
Lawson’s 13 points led the Robbinsville scoreline. Others to score were Brooks 10, Adams 9, Capps 6, Hall 3, Wright 3, Collins 2, Clayson Lane 2, Teesateskie 2 and Keener 1.
Junior varsity
Robbinsville (1-1) won the junior varsity conference debut at Hayesville 54-51.
Kamdyn Jordan dropped a team-high 22 points on the Jackets. Also scoring was Eddie Brooms 10, Isaac Wiggins 8, Dasan Gross 6, Rossi Wachacha 4, Bo Rattler 3 and Austin Crisp 1.
The Black Knights kept the season opener against Smoky Mountain close for three quarters, but went on to drop the game to the Mustangs 59-45.
Brooms’ 13 points, seven rebounds and two rebounds led Robbinsville. Also scoring was Gross 12, Jordan 10, C.J. Ornelas 4, Rattler 3, Carlos Wesley 2 and Crisp 1.
Robbinsville will resume conference play Monday, Jan. 6, as the Knights welcome Cherokee.