Robbinsville – Hopes of another conference title for Robbinsville’s middle school boys basketball squad were swiftly erased on Feb. 11.
The Black Knights (9-2) fell behind early against Swain and were unable to rally, dropping a 46-43 game to the Maroon Devils. The loss quelled Robbinsville’s chances of at least a share of the 2021 Smoky Mountain Conference title.
“I told our team, ‘I don’t know about you, but this is the hardest year I’ve ever had. It’s been the strangest year ever. We could’ve let a lot of that stuff distract us, but you didn’t; you had a 9-2 season,’” Robbinsville head coach Warren Knott said. “I’m proud of them.”
Bryce Adams scored 20 points to lead Robbinsville in the loss.
Other Knights to score were Quinn Jumper 9, Luke Lovin 4, Roman Jones 3, Isiac Collins 3, Dane Knott 2 and Tytan Teesateskie 2.
Monday brought Cherokee to town for the season conclusion. Robbinsville was able to end the year on a high, splitting the season series with the Braves by knocking off Cherokee 43-39.
“I’m super proud of my eighth-graders,” coach Knott said after the win. “I think the difference tonight was that they wanted to compete and beat this team.
“They were diving after loose balls and getting down the floor quicker than they have.
“I’ve been doing this a while, but I told them I’m just as proud of this team as I am championship teams that I’ve coached.”
Adams led the Black Knights with 26 points. Also scoring was Jones 10, Teesateskie 3, Jumper 2 and Knott 2.
Lady Knights
Robbinsville’s middle school girls (2-8) led 16-9 at halftime of the home opener with Swain, but the Knights were surpassed by the Lady Devils in the third quarter and could not get back ahead, ultimately falling 47-26.
Scoring for Robbinsville was Katie Lyn Gross 9, Liz Carpenter 8, Anna York 4, Abby Wehr 2, Jozlyn Garland 2 and Olivia Stewart 1.
Against Cherokee on Monday, the Lady Knights fell 63-13.
Carpenter had eight points, while Wehr hit a 3-pointer and Gross scored two.