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The Smoky Mountain Conference title returned to the Black Knights on Tuesday, following a victory over Cherokee. Standing in back (from left) are Nathan Frederick, Roman Jones, Kenyon Swimmer, Quinn Jumper, Isiac Collins, head coach Jake Beasley, Dane Knott, Kasen Buchanan, Trey Lambert, Luke Lovin, Kyzik Teesateskie, Logan Callaway and manager Joshua Satterfield. Sitting in front are Darion Ledbetter (left) and Bryce Adams. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Smoky Mountain Conference title returned to the Black Knights on Tuesday, following a victory over Cherokee. Standing in back (from left) are Nathan Frederick, Roman Jones, Kenyon Swimmer, Quinn Jumper, Isiac Collins, head coach Jake Beasley, Dane Knott, Kasen Buchanan, Trey Lambert, Luke Lovin, Kyzik Teesateskie, Logan Callaway and manager Joshua Satterfield. Sitting in front are Darion Ledbetter (left) and Bryce Adams. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

‘They deserve it’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Robbinsville – For the second time in three seasons, the Black Knights have claimed bragging rights in the Smoky Mountain Conference. Tuesday’s 55-46 win over Cherokee wrapped up the regular-season championship for Robbinsville (17-5, 8-1), which has not lost a game since Jan. 8.
Adair Panama puts Polk County’s Liam Jackson in a world of hurt during the Feb. 5 third-round, dual-team postseason match. Robbinsville won the dual, but fell in the regional final to Mount Airy. Photos by Kensie Belk/The Graham Star

Adair Panama puts Polk County’s Liam Jackson in a world of hurt during the Feb. 5 third-round, dual-team postseason match. Robbinsville won the dual, but fell in the regional final to Mount Airy. Photos by Kensie Belk/The Graham Star

State duals evade Robbinsville

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Columbus – With high hopes, “The Ville” loaded onto an activity bus Feb. 5 and traveled to the South Carolina border, hoping to return with the program’s second berth in the 1A dual team finals. Instead, Robbinsville (No. 2 seed, 26-8) was halted in the regional round for the third straight season.
Middle school Lady Knight Aaliyah Wolfe splits a pair of Murphy defenders to unload a second-half jumper during Jan. 29’s conference-tournament semifinals. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school Lady Knight Aaliyah Wolfe splits a pair of Murphy defenders to unload a second-half jumper during Jan. 29’s conference-tournament semifinals. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school girls fall in tournament semifinals

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Caislee Lane fires the final point of the Lady Knights’ season Jan. 29. Bryson City – Despite missing two starters – including their top scorer and point guard – the Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights displayed a ton of tenacity in their 2024-25 swan song. Pitted against Murphy (No.
Wade and Kensley Hamilton are spending their first Valentine’s Day together as husband and wife, as the two were wed Sept. 28. Photo courtesy of Maria Shook Photography

Wade and Kensley Hamilton are spending their first Valentine’s Day together as husband and wife, as the two were wed Sept. 28. Photo courtesy of Maria Shook Photography

‘Young love, strong love’

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Tallulah – Although this may not be the first Valentine’s Day that Wade and Kensley Hamilton have celebrated together, it does happen to be their first as man and wife.  In fact, the couple has spent five together.
Members of the public and fellow board members alike listen to commissioner Connie Orr as she addresses those in attendance for Monday’s special-called meeting, which was held to discuss more site options for the planned Graham County Justice Center. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Members of the public and fellow board members alike listen to commissioner Connie Orr as she addresses those in attendance for Monday’s special-called meeting, which was held to discuss more site options for the planned Graham County Justice Center. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

County pivots on justice center site

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Robbinsville – Monday’s special commissioner meeting left those in attendance with one thing perfectly clear: though where the Graham County Justice Center will be built is back up in the air, the structure will definitively not be placed off P & J Road.
Members of the Robbinsville Lady Knights hit the floor to celebrate with their teammates after Tuesday’s conference win over Hayesville. From left are Bentley Riggins, Abby Wehr, Liz Carpenter and Anna Williams. Photos by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Members of the Robbinsville Lady Knights hit the floor to celebrate with their teammates after Tuesday’s conference win over Hayesville. From left are Bentley Riggins, Abby Wehr, Liz Carpenter and Anna Williams. Photos by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Lady Knights eliminate Jacket infestation

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Robbinsville – For the first few minutes of Tuesday’s Smoky Mountain Conference appointment with Hayesville, the Lady Knights seemed to have misplaced a crucial part of their gameplan.
Robbinsville senior Bryce Adams – shown guarding Andrews’ Braxton Rickett on Friday – surpassed the 1,100-point mark for his career Monday against Summit Charter. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville senior Bryce Adams – shown guarding Andrews’ Braxton Rickett on Friday – surpassed the 1,100-point mark for his career Monday against Summit Charter. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Black Knights gain sole possession of division

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Landon Eddings rises above the Andrews defense for a first-half bucket attempt during JV boys action Friday. Eddings went on to hit the game-clinching basket after blocking a Wildcats shot in the closing seconds of the game.
Knox Orr controls Alleghany’s Elijah Barker during the second round of the state dual-team postseason Saturday. Orr went on to pin Barker and clinch a third-round berth for Robbinsville. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Knox Orr controls Alleghany’s Elijah Barker during the second round of the state dual-team postseason Saturday. Orr went on to pin Barker and clinch a third-round berth for Robbinsville. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

3rd round bound

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Robbinsville – There’s a reason the third round of the dual-team postseason is dubbed the “Elite 8.” The Black Knights found out after Wednesday’s press deadline if their duals roster was strong enough to withstand another tough evening of competition, as Robbinsville (No.

Man killed in RV fire

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Bear Creek – Authorities are still trying to determine what caused an RV to become engulfed in a midday fire Jan. 29 and claim the life of a local man. The body of 71-year-old Lindell Howard Hensley was found inside the structure after firefighters with Graham County Fire and Rescue and the N.C.
This newly-installed sign sits at the intersection of Black Knight Drive and U.S. 129 (Rodney Orr Bypass), directing travelers to the “new” entrance to both Robbinsville Middle and High schools. The intersection opened in November 2019 – and as the sign indicates, more expansion is in the works, as the intersection will become a busy hub in Robbinsville once the new elementary school is constructed. Photo courtesy of Robert Moody/Graham County Schools

This newly-installed sign sits at the intersection of Black Knight Drive and U.S. 129 (Rodney Orr Bypass), directing travelers to the “new” entrance to both Robbinsville Middle and High schools. The intersection opened in November 2019 – and as the sign indicates, more expansion is in the works, as the intersection will become a busy hub in Robbinsville once the new elementary school is constructed. Photo courtesy of Robert Moody/Graham County Schools

Architect picked for new elementary school

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Robbinsville – Following the qualification process, the Graham County Board of Education selected the architect that will be responsible for designing the new Robbinsville Elementary School.