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Isaiah Brown signed to play golf at Bryan College on Friday. Sitting with Brown are father Jeremy and mother Ashley. Standing in back is Bryan College men’s golf coach Jake Goins.

Isaiah Brown signed to play golf at Bryan College on Friday. Sitting with Brown are father Jeremy and mother Ashley. Standing in back is Bryan College men’s golf coach Jake Goins.

Lion-hearted golfer makes school history

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Robbinsville – Isaiah Brown was born into a golfing family. Prior to this year's title, his father Jeremy was on the last Black Knights team that won the Smoky Mountain Conference in 2000; his grandfather Jody joins Jeremy as an assistant coach on Robbinsville's current boys golf program.
Black Knights senior Skyler Anderson signed a Letter of Intent to wrestle at Ottawa (Kan.) University on May 5. Seated with Anderson are Vickie and Dean Carpenter. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Black Knights senior Skyler Anderson signed a Letter of Intent to wrestle at Ottawa (Kan.) University on May 5. Seated with Anderson are Vickie and Dean Carpenter. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Braves scoop up another state champ

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Robbinsville – It's no secret that Black Knights wrestling has built a strong reputation for itself. The championship tradition has spurned numerous candidates for collegiate programs to choose from – and Ottawa (Kan.) University has recently zeroed in on "The Ville's" top talent.
Avery Brown sizes up a putt April 24 at the conference tournament opener. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Avery Brown sizes up a putt April 24 at the conference tournament opener. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights fall late at regionals

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Huntersville – Coming off a solid practice round, Robbinsville was in second place with just six holes left to go at May 5's Western Regional meet.
Robbinsville's 4x800 boys relay team broke the school record at Friday's meet. From left are Xamuel Wachacha, Austin Bohn, Nathan Frederick and Colton McCoy. Photo courtesy of Heather Wachacha

Robbinsville's 4x800 boys relay team broke the school record at Friday's meet. From left are Xamuel Wachacha, Austin Bohn, Nathan Frederick and Colton McCoy. Photo courtesy of Heather Wachacha

8 headed to state

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 15, 2025
* State meet preview Columbus – Though no regional champions from Robbinsville were crowned at Friday's meet, the Black Knights stamped eight tickets to the state championship.
The intersection of Rodney Orr Bypass and Laura Street will be busier than ever next year, thanks to the addition of a 32,000 square-foot retail store that will occupy the space on the left. The upgraded buildings on the right will serve as an annex of the effort. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The intersection of Rodney Orr Bypass and Laura Street will be busier than ever next year, thanks to the addition of a 32,000 square-foot retail store that will occupy the space on the left. The upgraded buildings on the right will serve as an annex of the effort. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Changes ahead at 'Conley's Corner'

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Robbinsville – Passers-by have no doubt see the upgraded aesthetics to buildings along the southbound lane of Rodney Orr Bypass, near Laura Street. There's more on the horizon than just a fresh paint job, as local business Lovin Contracting is expanding its footprint.
Naomi Taylor wrapped up her career with the Robbinsville Lady Knights in Friday’s second-round playoff loss to South Stokes. The Maryville College-commit homered at the plate and finished the year with a 1.53 ERA inside the circle. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Naomi Taylor wrapped up her career with the Robbinsville Lady Knights in Friday’s second-round playoff loss to South Stokes. The Maryville College-commit homered at the plate and finished the year with a 1.53 ERA inside the circle. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Sauras spoil season – again

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Robbinsville – South Stokes cannot reclassify to a 2A program quickly enough.
Senior Quinn Jumper finished with a .411 average in 2025, leading the Black Knights in that category. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Senior Quinn Jumper finished with a .411 average in 2025, leading the Black Knights in that category. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Diamond Knights shine in season finale

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Cherokee – Despite being left out of the playoffs this season, the Black Knights had plenty to hang their hats on after May 1's season finale.
The Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights repeated as Smoky Mountain Conference champions this season. All names are listed from left. Front row: Bella Ford, Mylee Webster, Aaliyah Wolfe, Lakelynn Drake, Makenna Stewart and Lakin Orr. Second row: Allie Phillips, Balee Odom, Ophelia Beasley, Bristol Odom and Bently Lambert. Third row: Ty Chekelelee, Haizleigh Driver, Ella Nelms, Natalee Myers and Myah Winfrey. Back row: Assistant coach Ivy Odom, manager Caislee Lane and head coach Lauren Silvers.

The Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights repeated as Smoky Mountain Conference champions this season. All names are listed from left. Front row: Bella Ford, Mylee Webster, Aaliyah Wolfe, Lakelynn Drake, Makenna Stewart and Lakin Orr. Second row: Allie Phillips, Balee Odom, Ophelia Beasley, Bristol Odom and Bently Lambert. Third row: Ty Chekelelee, Haizleigh Driver, Ella Nelms, Natalee Myers and Myah Winfrey. Back row: Assistant coach Ivy Odom, manager Caislee Lane and head coach Lauren Silvers.

Lady Knights back at the mountaintop

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Robbinsville – Last year's middle school softball team had seven players who are now competing in the varsity ranks. The 2024 squad was the first to win a divisional title for Robbinsville since 2017.
Members of the Stecoah JAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians) program kept attendees entertained at Saturday's SpringFest. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Members of the Stecoah JAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians) program kept attendees entertained at Saturday's SpringFest. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Spring has sprung

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, May 8, 2025
N.C. Forest Service Ranger Frank Cline and Smokey the Bear were on-hand for Saturday's SpringFest. Stecoah – Visitors did not let the rain spoil their plans to attend this year’s Smoky Mountain SpringFest, which was held Saturday at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center.

Unattended campfire spreads into woods

Marshall McClung
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Milltown – Despite recent rains and a rapid greening of woodlands, the spring fire season is still with us at least for a while. Local firefighters with Graham County Fire and Rescue – as well as the N.C. and U.S. Forest services – responded to a small brush fire around 5:10 p.m., April 30.