Knights basketball works out kinks in preseason scrimmage
Hiwassee Dam – If Saturday was any indication, Robbinsville basketball looks primed to move into the upper echelon of competition in the Smoky Mountain Conference.
Graham County’s contribution to the division bused both varsity squads to Hiwassee Dam for a preseason scrimmage against the Eagles. The format was rather lax – four, 10-minute quarters, with plenty of rotations and a running clock – but both sides certainly got a taste of what they are capable of before the season tips off.
The exhibitions were split between two facilities and ran co-currently, with the boys playing in the main gymnasium. Black Knights head coach Jake Beasley took nothing but positives away from the exercise.
“We have so much length and athleticism, all over the floor,” Beasley said. “I feel like this is the most athletic team that I’ve had in a while.
“We have some kids that have worked their tails off this summer and it should show on the court. Our kids are very excited about the chance to compete – due to everything being taken away from them (due to the pandemic) – and we will play very hard every night.”
In the upper gym, Lady Knights head coach Lucas Ford boasted about the cohesiveness displayed by his group, despite most of the players juggling two sports simultaneously.
“I saw a lot of good things out of everyone,” Ford said. “We still have work to do to reach this team’s potential, but we have a high ceiling. We are very athletic and they mesh well together.
“The majority of our team is going through back-to-back practices on a daily basis. I have commended them for their work ethic right now.
Robbinsville will begin the 2021 tilt Tuesday, Jan. 5, hosting the Rosman Tigers.