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Lady Knights senior Yeika Jimenez drives past Cherokee’s Erin Rogers for a second-half basket on Jan. 13. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Lady Knights senior Yeika Jimenez drives past Cherokee’s Erin Rogers for a second-half basket on Jan. 13. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Just one more hill to climb

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Cherokee – There are three certainties in life: death, taxes and Cherokee plays physical basketball. However, Robbinsville (9-4, 4-1) persevered in a Jan. 13 road game with the Lady Braves nonetheless, taking its lumps en route to a significant 65-52 win.
Black Knights freshman Bryce Adams lines up a corner shot Jan. 13 at Cherokee. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Black Knights freshman Bryce Adams lines up a corner shot Jan. 13 at Cherokee. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Cashing in a win

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Cashiers – The Black Knights are having to readjust their program, a little over midway through the season. Down to eight players, Robbinsville has struggled to find its identity as of late, often faltering in the late stages of games the team seemingly had in hand.
Members of the Robbinsville High School wrestling team gather at center mat Saturday to celebrate its 2022 James Orr Invitational victory. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Members of the Robbinsville High School wrestling team gather at center mat Saturday to celebrate its 2022 James Orr Invitational victory. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Home cookin’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Robbinsville – After all its travels, the Robbinsville wrestling team finally had a chance to show off its tournament dominance on its home turf.
Kimberly Vaught, the beloved general manager of Historic Tapoco Lodge, passed away unexpectedly Jan. 10.

Kimberly Vaught, the beloved general manager of Historic Tapoco Lodge, passed away unexpectedly Jan. 10.

'More than a lodge keeper’

Randy Foster
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Tapoco – Historic Tapoco Lodge has been a Graham County landmark since it was built in 1930 and Kimberly Vaught – its general manager for just five of those years – left an indelible mark on the lodge, its staff, and its guests. Vaught, a 56-year-old resident of Robbinsville, died Monday, Jan.

Boyle out as EMS director

Randy Foster
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Fort Hill – Graham County commissioners have terminated the county’s emergency services director, but it was not immediately clear what led to the dismissal. County Manager Jason Marino said that Graham County Emergency Services Director Phillip Boyle was terminated on Friday.

Ingles beer, wine application being processed

Randy Foster
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Robbinsville – Ingles missed its target date of mid-January to start selling beer and wine at its Robbinsville store, but the process is underway, company and town officials said. The next step in the process is a clean inspection by Graham County Building Inspector Jacob Nelms.
Prior to Tuesday’s dual against Cherokee, Robbinsville wrestling recognized its nine seniors. All names are listed from left. Kneeling: Ben Wachacha, Carlos Wesley, Zane Lucksavage and Jacob Hall. Standing: Jayden Nowell, Kyle Fink, manager Ivy Odom, Aynsley Fink and Jaret Panama. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Prior to Tuesday’s dual against Cherokee, Robbinsville wrestling recognized its nine seniors. All names are listed from left. Kneeling: Ben Wachacha, Carlos Wesley, Zane Lucksavage and Jacob Hall. Standing: Jayden Nowell, Kyle Fink, manager Ivy Odom, Aynsley Fink and Jaret Panama. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

“The ‘Ville” now ranked No. 1

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Robbinsville – This far into the 2021-22 season, one question lingers: is there anyone that can stop Robbinsville? The No. 1-ranked team in 1A started its latest tear with a 70-6 victory in the annual “Battle of the Knights” at North Henderson on Jan. 5.
Prior to Monday’s game, Robbinsville Middle School recognized the 8th-grade members of its basketball program. All names are listed from left. Front row: Anna Williams, Katie Lyn Gross, Lady Knights manager Jernie Greene, Maleah Cox and Abby Wehr. Back row: Luke Lovin, Dane Knott, Isiac Collins, Tillman Adams, Owen Blevins, Dane Daniels, Kyzik Teesateskie, Benny Moose, Tyler Patton, Javian Blair and Kasen Buchanan. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Prior to Monday’s game, Robbinsville Middle School recognized the 8th-grade members of its basketball program. All names are listed from left. Front row: Anna Williams, Katie Lyn Gross, Lady Knights manager Jernie Greene, Maleah Cox and Abby Wehr. Back row: Luke Lovin, Dane Knott, Isiac Collins, Tillman Adams, Owen Blevins, Dane Daniels, Kyzik Teesateskie, Benny Moose, Tyler Patton, Javian Blair and Kasen Buchanan. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights roll in home finale against Hornets

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Robbinsville – From the opening tip, it was all Black Knights. In a boys-only showcase against the Martins Creek Hornets on Monday, Robbinsville (8-4) finished the home slate of its season with a 67-7 victory.
Robbinsville’s Donovan Carpenter focuses on a second-half bucket during Friday’s 51-44 loss to Hayesville. Photos by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville’s Donovan Carpenter focuses on a second-half bucket during Friday’s 51-44 loss to Hayesville. Photos by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Black Knights fall to Blackhawks, Jackets

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Robbinsville – The Knights had the right game plan for Friday’s tilt with Hayesville: neutralize Jake McTaggart.
Desta Trammell airs out an inside shot Friday against Robbinsville. The junior point guard put up 25 against the Lady Jackets, surpassing the 900-point career threshold in the Lady Knights’ 64-38 win. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Desta Trammell airs out an inside shot Friday against Robbinsville. The junior point guard put up 25 against the Lady Jackets, surpassing the 900-point career threshold in the Lady Knights’ 64-38 win. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Split bill

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Robbinsville – Through four Smoky Mountain Conference games this season, the varsity Lady Knights have outscored their opponents 237-133. Behind a 25-point performance from junior point guard Desta Trammell on Friday night, Hayesville rapidly became the latest Robbinsville foe to fall.