News

Members of the Robbinsville Lady Knights volleyball team and fanbase erupt in celebration after a big point was scored during Aug. 28's five-set victory at Andrews. Players visibly celebrating on the floor are Chloe Adams (10), Ella McGuire (7), Daphne Barlow (3) and Izabel Haney (10). Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Members of the Robbinsville Lady Knights volleyball team and fanbase erupt in celebration after a big point was scored during Aug. 28's five-set victory at Andrews. Players visibly celebrating on the floor are Chloe Adams (10), Ella McGuire (7), Daphne Barlow (3) and Izabel Haney (10). Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights down Cherokee County foes

Andrews – It took five sets, but the Robbinsville Lady Knights prevailed in its lone Smoky Mountain Conference match of the week Aug. 28.
Isiac Collins carries a trio of Franklin defenders en route to Robbinsville’s only touchdown Friday. Photos by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Isiac Collins carries a trio of Franklin defenders en route to Robbinsville’s only touchdown Friday. Photos by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Knights unable to halt balanced Panthers

The box score from Aug. 29, 2025's game between Franklin and Robbinsville.
Jennifer O'Dell, Gracie Webster, Regina Webster and Dickey Webster (from left) with Sweetgum Baptist Church sing at a recent Celebrate Recovery meeting. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Jennifer O'Dell, Gracie Webster, Regina Webster and Dickey Webster (from left) with Sweetgum Baptist Church sing at a recent Celebrate Recovery meeting. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Let's Celebrate Recovery

Sweetgum – In 1991, John Baker and his wife shared a vision given to John by God for a new Christ-centered ministry where people could find freedom from their hurts, hang-ups and habits.  The first night of meeting, 43 people attended and Celebrate Recovery was born.
Kreed Williams rushes into the end zone to wrap up a 16-0 shutout of the Mountain Heritage Cougars during Aug. 21’s JV season opener. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Kreed Williams rushes into the end zone to wrap up a 16-0 shutout of the Mountain Heritage Cougars during Aug. 21’s JV season opener. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

JV Knights blank Cougars

Robbinsville – Outside of two fumble recoveries, the visiting Cougars let out little more than a whimper in the Aug. 21 junior varsity football season opener.

Lady Knights sweep Little Smoky foes

Izabel Haney leaps for a spike during Tuesday's sweep over Highlands. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star Robbinsville – Summit Charter and Highlands simply had no answer for the Lady Knights in recent volleyball action. A trip to Cashiers on Aug.
Kyzik Teesateskie gladly takes advantage of the hole opened up by defenders Christian Koeller (33), Kasen  Buchanan (55) and Kellen Ensley to score his second rushing touchdown of the first half Friday against Tuscola. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Kyzik Teesateskie gladly takes advantage of the hole opened up by defenders Christian Koeller (33), Kasen Buchanan (55) and Kellen Ensley to score his second rushing touchdown of the first half Friday against Tuscola. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Mountaineers trampled

The box score from Aug. 22, 2025's game between Tuscola and Robbinsville. Robbinsville – Chalk it up to community hype, a dangerous Black Knights roster, first-game jitters from the opponent or whatever you would like, but Robbinsville looked sharp in its 2025 premiere Friday.
Kadey Phillips Jones was recently announced as Graham County Schools' 2024-25 District Teacher of the Year.

Kadey Phillips Jones was recently announced as Graham County Schools' 2024-25 District Teacher of the Year.

Jones named Graham County Schools’ Teacher of the Year

Robbinsville – Graham County Schools has announced third-grade instructor Kadey Phillips Jones as the 2024-25 District Teacher of the Year.  Jones began her 10th year as an educator this week.
Luke Lovin evades the pursuit of Tuscola defenders while gaining positive yardage in Friday's season opener. Lovin will be Robbinsville's quarterback for the 2025 season. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Luke Lovin evades the pursuit of Tuscola defenders while gaining positive yardage in Friday's season opener. Lovin will be Robbinsville's quarterback for the 2025 season. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

SMC football: Not for the weak of heart

There's a reason a mention of Smoky Mountain Conference football sends shivers down the spines of opponents far and wide – the reputation of the division speaks for itself.

Crews battle two fires

Even though it is weeks until the usual start of the autumn fire season – and rain has fallen steadily – local crews were dispatched to a pair of separate outbreaks during the last week. Graham County Fire and Rescue – including a Meadow Branch unit – responded to a small brush fire around 1:20 p.
Senior libero Suri Watty bumps the ball during Tuesday’s 4-set win over Murphy. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Senior libero Suri Watty bumps the ball during Tuesday’s 4-set win over Murphy. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville handles Dogs in league opener

Robbinsville – The Lady Knights' initial sampling of what the Smoky Mountain Conference has to offer this season was quite the thriller. Tuesday's divisional opener brought Murphy (2-1, 1-1) to town, in a match that stayed close throughout the duration.