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The Black Knights’ defense – led by Haden Key, Quinn Jumper, Jude Campbell, Roman Jones, Cuttler Adams and Carlos Lopez (clockwise from center) – swarm Hayesville’s Taylor McClure to stuff the Jackets’ top running threat Friday. Robbinsville held Hayesville to just 64 rushing yards on the night. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Black Knights’ defense – led by Haden Key, Quinn Jumper, Jude Campbell, Roman Jones, Cuttler Adams and Carlos Lopez (clockwise from center) – swarm Hayesville’s Taylor McClure to stuff the Jackets’ top running threat Friday. Robbinsville held Hayesville to just 64 rushing yards on the night. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The real Black Swarm

Hayesville – Admittedly, there was a lot of hype surrounding Friday’s Smoky Mountain Conference title game in Murphy. So it’s OK if you forgot that Robbinsville played a game just 15 miles away at the exact same time. However, the Knights did not forget.
Offers from two SEC schools speaks volumes about the softball acumen of Robbinsville junior Zoie Shuler. Ultimately, she announced her commitment to the University of Tennessee on Oct. 26. Photos courtesy of Kate Luffman/University of Tennessee Athletics

Offers from two SEC schools speaks volumes about the softball acumen of Robbinsville junior Zoie Shuler. Ultimately, she announced her commitment to the University of Tennessee on Oct. 26. Photos courtesy of Kate Luffman/University of Tennessee Athletics

Volunteering her services

Robbinsville – In retrospect, the decision was made long ago. As a Graham County native, Zoie Shuler grew up just on the other side of the mountain from Knoxville, so a love for the Tennessee Volunteers almost came as a birthright.
Robbinsville’s youth football program collected three Cracker Bowl championships Saturday in Sylva. The Termite Black Knights shutout the previously-unbeaten Franklin Panthers 6-0. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s youth football program collected three Cracker Bowl championships Saturday in Sylva. The Termite Black Knights shutout the previously-unbeaten Franklin Panthers 6-0. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

3 games, 3 titles

Sylva – Nail technicians across the region had to be swamped Monday morning.
Senior lineman Carlos Lopez (54) attempts to bring down Andrews quarterback Donovan Carpenter during Robbinsville’s foray against the Wildcats on Friday. Photo courtesy of Haley Coffey

Senior lineman Carlos Lopez (54) attempts to bring down Andrews quarterback Donovan Carpenter during Robbinsville’s foray against the Wildcats on Friday. Photo courtesy of Haley Coffey

Black Knights eliminated from conference-title picture

Andrews – For the first time since 2018, there will be a new champion in the Smoky Mountain Conference. Robbinsville made the short pilgrimage to Andrews for a highly-anticipated showdown Friday.
Head coach Kadey Phillips strategizes with the Lady Knights during a fifth-set timeout Tuesday, in the second round of the state playoffs at Highland Tech. Robbinsville fell to the No. 4-seeded Lady Rams, ending its season with 17 wins. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Head coach Kadey Phillips strategizes with the Lady Knights during a fifth-set timeout Tuesday, in the second round of the state playoffs at Highland Tech. Robbinsville fell to the No. 4-seeded Lady Rams, ending its season with 17 wins. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville falls in 2nd round heartbreaker

Gastonia – One of the Lady Knights’ Achilles heels reared its ugly head Tuesday. Robbinsville (No. 13 seed, 17-9) opened up a 2-0 lead in the second round of the state playoffs at Highland Tech (No. 4, 21-3).

Fall fire season sparked by several outbreaks

With the falling leaves of autumn comes fall fire season and dry fuels in the forest. Local firefighters with the N.C. Forest Service, U.S. Forest Service and volunteer fire departments were busy with small brush fires over the weekend. Around 6 p.m.
The Robbinsville wrestling program is adding another chapter to its historic legacy: the first-ever Lady Knights team, comprised of girls from Robbinsville Middle School. The coaches are Josh Winfrey (far left) and Sarah Orr (far right).

The Robbinsville wrestling program is adding another chapter to its historic legacy: the first-ever Lady Knights team, comprised of girls from Robbinsville Middle School. The coaches are Josh Winfrey (far left) and Sarah Orr (far right).

Break the walls down

Robbinsville – As times change, so do the environments that surround us. When the Far West Wrestling program picked up steam last winter, it was mostly because of the unusually-high amount of girls that trotted onto the mat to grapple. Yes, girls.
Bonnie Jean Price (behind the podium) addresses the Board of Commissioners at the Oct. 18 meeting, seeking support for a horse riding arena in Graham County. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Bonnie Jean Price (behind the podium) addresses the Board of Commissioners at the Oct. 18 meeting, seeking support for a horse riding arena in Graham County. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Horse arena idea gets footing with county board

Robbinsville – Bonnie Jean Price has been pitching the idea of re-establishing a horse-riding arena in Graham County for the newly formed non-profit saddle club for which she is the spokesman.

Charges temporarily dropped after meth arrest

Robbinsville – The District Attorney’s Office voluntarily dismissed drug charges against a Robbinsville man, in a case called one of the largest methamphetamine raids in Graham County history and the arrest of what Sheriff Jerry Crisp called one of the county’s biggest drug dealers.