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Robbinsville junior Kensley Phillips swats the ball away from Highlands’ Beatrice Bryson during Tuesday’s season opener. Phillips’ defense played a key role in the Lady Knights’ 59-39 win over the Lady Highlanders. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville junior Kensley Phillips swats the ball away from Highlands’ Beatrice Bryson during Tuesday’s season opener. Phillips’ defense played a key role in the Lady Knights’ 59-39 win over the Lady Highlanders. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Knights conquer Highlanders in season openers

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Robbinsville – The Knights’ varsity basketball program gave the Graham County faithful a sample of what’s to come this season. And after Tuesday’s straight sweep of Highlands, it’s evident that both the Lady Knights and Black Knights will deliver the goods each time they hit the hardwood.
The 2021-22 Robbinsville High School indoor track team. All names are from left. Front row: Haize Moore, Montana Buchanan, Lisbeth Cervantes and Caylin Lunsford. Second row: Kensley Phillips, Taelyr Jackson, Delaney Brooms and Zoie Shuler. Back row: Jacob Satterfield, Zeb Stewart, Caden Lail, William Cable, Roman Jones, Kamdyn Jordan and Josh Satterfield. Not pictured is Koleson Dooley. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The 2021-22 Robbinsville High School indoor track team. All names are from left. Front row: Haize Moore, Montana Buchanan, Lisbeth Cervantes and Caylin Lunsford. Second row: Kensley Phillips, Taelyr Jackson, Delaney Brooms and Zoie Shuler. Back row: Jacob Satterfield, Zeb Stewart, Caden Lail, William Cable, Roman Jones, Kamdyn Jordan and Josh Satterfield. Not pictured is Koleson Dooley. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

On the fast track to success

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Robbinsville – It’s early, but the forecast indicates a bevy of Knights will be competing at the state indoor track meet.

Tickets on-sale soon for Hicks concert

Koda Moody
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Robbinsville – The Robbinsville Tourism Authority discussed the upcoming Taylor Hicks concert in May at its Nov. 30 meeting. Tickets will be available online soon. The intention – as of now – is to sell 800-1,000 online.
Graham County Board of Elections Deputy Director Tasha Holder (left) helps incumbent Graham County Clerk of Court Tammy Holloway with the filing process Monday. Holloway was the first candidate to file for any 2022 local election. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Graham County Board of Elections Deputy Director Tasha Holder (left) helps incumbent Graham County Clerk of Court Tammy Holloway with the filing process Monday. Holloway was the first candidate to file for any 2022 local election. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Candidates begin filing for 2022 local elections

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Robbinsville – After just one day of filing, four sheriff’s candidates had confirmed their 2022 campaigns. Incumbent Jerry Crisp – who took over mid-term for former Graham County Sheriff Joseph Jones in July 2020 – officially filed to run Monday, as did former deputy Dennis Crisp, Leon Allen Jr.
Kelsey Cody (Mary), 7-month-old Nora Grace Cody (Jesus) and Brady Cody (Joseph) as the Holy Family, which will be a part of Robbinsville United Methodist Church’s first-ever Christmas Extravaganza on Sunday. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Kelsey Cody (Mary), 7-month-old Nora Grace Cody (Jesus) and Brady Cody (Joseph) as the Holy Family, which will be a part of Robbinsville United Methodist Church’s first-ever Christmas Extravaganza on Sunday. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Brighter and brighter, He will shine

Charlie Benton
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Fort Hill – One of the community’s houses of worship will hold its first Christmas Extravaganza on Sunday. The event will include performances by church choirs, a live nativity scene and refreshments.
Graham County Clerk of Court Tammy Holloway (right) swears in the new Town of Lake Santeetlah councilmembers Tuesday afternoon (from left): Tina Emerson, Ralph Mitchell and Connie Gross. Recent appeals at both the local and state level have attempted to dispute the legitimacy of Emerson and Gross’ residency, but both challenges have been dismissed. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Graham County Clerk of Court Tammy Holloway (right) swears in the new Town of Lake Santeetlah councilmembers Tuesday afternoon (from left): Tina Emerson, Ralph Mitchell and Connie Gross. Recent appeals at both the local and state level have attempted to dispute the legitimacy of Emerson and Gross’ residency, but both challenges have been dismissed. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Santeetlah appeals dismissed at state level

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Raleigh – After a pair of local protests were dismissed, another pair of appeals have been thrown out at the state level. Through a public records request, The Graham Star obtained documents containing the official decisions of the N.C.
Sophomore Kage Williams (195) scoops Mitchell’s Noah Maltba during Nov. 17’s home dual. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Sophomore Kage Williams (195) scoops Mitchell’s Noah Maltba during Nov. 17’s home dual. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Black Knights topple Rams

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 2, 2021
Robbinsville – Just before turkey day, the Black Knights stayed busy. Robbinsville (2-0) hosted the T.C. Roberson Rams for a Nov. 23 dual before loading up and traveling to Enka on Nov. 24 for the Jet Invitational.
Dane Knott put up 27 points Monday at Hiwassee Dam/Ranger. Through seven games this season, the middle school Black Knight is averaging 14 points a game. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Dane Knott put up 27 points Monday at Hiwassee Dam/Ranger. Through seven games this season, the middle school Black Knight is averaging 14 points a game. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights sprint past Devils, Eagles

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 2, 2021
Bryson City – Down by 17 at halftime, the Black Knights could easily have thrown in the towel. However, Robbinsville (5-2) refused to go down without a fight, putting up 36 points in the second half of the Nov. 18 road game at Swain County and ultimately edging the Maroon Devils 54-53.
Dasan Gross fires a rocket to Cuttler Adams during Friday’s fourth-round playoff game against Murphy. In Gross’ strongest showing to date, the senior quarterback finished the game 9-of-11, with 136 passing yards and seven, third-down conversion completions. Photos by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Dasan Gross fires a rocket to Cuttler Adams during Friday’s fourth-round playoff game against Murphy. In Gross’ strongest showing to date, the senior quarterback finished the game 9-of-11, with 136 passing yards and seven, third-down conversion completions. Photos by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Taking a bite out of the competition

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 2, 2021
Robbinsville – Dasan Gross was the most inaccessible man on the field after Friday’s game.