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Robbinsville senior Yeika Jimenez guards Murphy's Addie Johnson during Friday's Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament finals at Swain County High School. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Yeika Jimenez guards Murphy's Addie Johnson during Friday's Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament finals at Swain County High School. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights continue quest for state championship

Spencer — The Robbinsville Lady Knights saw their 2021-22 season come to an end Thursday night, as they watched a halftime lead over North Rowan slip away in a 78-64 loss. Both Desta Trammell and Yeika Jimenez put up a team-high 18 points for Robbinsville (No. 13 seed).
Several members of the Robbinsville wrestling program gather in the Greensboro Coliseum concourse Saturday night, posing with the 1A Invitational Tournament Team Runner-Up plaque. Photo courtesy of Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

Several members of the Robbinsville wrestling program gather in the Greensboro Coliseum concourse Saturday night, posing with the 1A Invitational Tournament Team Runner-Up plaque. Photo courtesy of Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

Four Black Knights capture state titles

Greensboro – At the culmination of the two-day, N.C. High School Athletic Association Individual Wrestling Tournament, four Graham County grapplers departed with state gold.
Robbinsville senior Halee Anderson (5) keeps tabs on Murphy's Addie Johnson during tonight's Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament finale at Swain County High School. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Halee Anderson (5) keeps tabs on Murphy's Addie Johnson during tonight's Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament finale at Swain County High School. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights fall in tournament finale

Bryson City – A low shooting percentage and key turnovers proved costly for the Lady Knights on Friday, as they dropped the Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament finals to Murphy, 56-49.
Robbinsville’s Bo Rattler (left) and Dasan Gross guard Cherokee’s Tso Smith during Saturday’s Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament quarterfinal game against the Braves. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Bo Rattler (left) and Dasan Gross guard Cherokee’s Tso Smith during Saturday’s Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament quarterfinal game against the Braves. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights ousted in tourney semis

Bryson City – Heading into Tuesday’s Smoky Mountain Conference tournament semifinal, Robbinsville was seemingly well on its way to making a magical run to the championship game. And for three quarters of the showdown against the hosting Swain County Maroon Devils (No.
It was another history-making night Tuesday for Robbinsville junior Desta Trammell, who shattered the state consecutive free-throw record during the semifinals of the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament against Cherokee.

It was another history-making night Tuesday for Robbinsville junior Desta Trammell, who shattered the state consecutive free-throw record during the semifinals of the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament against Cherokee.

Rewriting history

Bryson City – This is your reminder that Desta Trammell still has a full year of varsity basketball ahead. Robbinsville’s junior point guard surpassed the 1,000-point mark Jan.
Members of Robbinsville’s youth program take a  moment with coaches and parents to relish their state championship victories on Feb. 5 in Advance. Shown are wrestlers (front row, from left) Bracey Wilson,  Loxston Hooper, Lawton Gibby, Adair Panama and Lleyton Hooper; Benton Gibby, Braydon Lane, Andrew Adams, Kyler Branham and Mason Phillips (second row, from left).

Members of Robbinsville’s youth program take a moment with coaches and parents to relish their state championship victories on Feb. 5 in Advance. Shown are wrestlers (front row, from left) Bracey Wilson, Loxston Hooper, Lawton Gibby, Adair Panama and Lleyton Hooper; Benton Gibby, Braydon Lane, Andrew Adams, Kyler Branham and Mason Phillips (second row, from left).

Upcoming Knights win title

Advance – The 40th annual N.C. Junior High State Championship belongs to Robbinsville. Chocked full of potential – which still has time to develop – seventh-, eighth- and ninth-grade Black Knights traveled to the Rise Indoor Sports Complex on Feb.
The Snowbird Mite Boys captured the 2021-22 Smokey Mountain Youth Conference tournament championship Feb. 5, after defeating Robbinsville in the title game. All names are listed from left. Front row: Whyatt Lewis, Hayden Lewis, Elijah Kirkland, Keni Wolf, Xamuel Wachacha, Elijah Lambert, Jayce Turner, Colby Kirkland, Avery Brown and Landon  Eddings. Back row: coaches Cody Teesateskie, Adam Wachacha and Zane Wachacha.

The Snowbird Mite Boys captured the 2021-22 Smokey Mountain Youth Conference tournament championship Feb. 5, after defeating Robbinsville in the title game. All names are listed from left. Front row: Whyatt Lewis, Hayden Lewis, Elijah Kirkland, Keni Wolf, Xamuel Wachacha, Elijah Lambert, Jayce Turner, Colby Kirkland, Avery Brown and Landon Eddings. Back row: coaches Cody Teesateskie, Adam Wachacha and Zane Wachacha.

Ultimate Warriors

Hiwassee Dam – It was a hotly contested nail-biter between two Graham County programs. And in the end, Snowbird prevailed. The Mite Warriors capped off a 9-1 campaign by defeating the Robbinsville Black Knights 35-31 on Feb. 5 in the finals of the Smokey Mountain Youth Conference tournament.
Members of the Robbinsville High School wrestling program gather with the 1A Western Regional Individual Runner-Up plaque, at the conclusion of the two-day tournament at Alleghany. Photos by Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

Members of the Robbinsville High School wrestling program gather with the 1A Western Regional Individual Runner-Up plaque, at the conclusion of the two-day tournament at Alleghany. Photos by Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

More action, more titles

Sparta – It won’t be long before Robbinsville will have to construct an addition to its wrestling facility … just for an awards room.
An information kiosk is where campers would have paid the fee to use Cable Cove Campground near Lake Fontana, but the N.C. Forest Service confirmed Friday that the location would not open for the 2022 season. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

An information kiosk is where campers would have paid the fee to use Cable Cove Campground near Lake Fontana, but the N.C. Forest Service confirmed Friday that the location would not open for the 2022 season. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Cable Cove Campground shuttered

Fontana — Cable Cove Campground, one of three National Forest campgrounds in Graham County that feature lakeside boat ramps, will not reopen in 2022, and at least half of the campground will likely never reopen. The Cable Cove boat ramp will remain open for year-round access to Fontana Lake.