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Chloe Adams, long jump. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Chloe Adams, long jump. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights trio compete at state meet

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 21, 2025
Winston-Salem – The final tune-up before outdoor track & field begins featured three of Robbinsville’s finest athletes.
Robbinsville wrestling’s seven state qualifiers stand proudly at the conclusion of the 1A Western Regional tournament Saturday. From left are Jonah Teesateskie, Loxston Hooper, Skyler Anderson, Lleyton Hooper, Adair Panama, Devin Hall and Kellen Ensley. Photo courtesy of Brooke Haney/Robbinsville Wrestling

Robbinsville wrestling’s seven state qualifiers stand proudly at the conclusion of the 1A Western Regional tournament Saturday. From left are Jonah Teesateskie, Loxston Hooper, Skyler Anderson, Lleyton Hooper, Adair Panama, Devin Hall and Kellen Ensley. Photo courtesy of Brooke Haney/Robbinsville Wrestling

Magnificent 7

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 21, 2025
Cherryville – It is a tradition that will never get old: Robbinsville wrestling will be well-represented at this year’s traditional state tournament.
Authorities found Carley Walls’ vehicle burning on Tatham Gap Road roughly 12 hours before her body was discovered some 15 miles away. Photo courtesy of Graham County Sheriff's Office

Authorities found Carley Walls’ vehicle burning on Tatham Gap Road roughly 12 hours before her body was discovered some 15 miles away. Photo courtesy of Graham County Sheriff's Office

Local woman’s death still under investigation

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 21, 2025
Robbinsville – It has been more than two years since the lifeless body of 27-year-old Carley Dunn Walls was discovered around 9 a.m. Feb. 5, 2023.  While no arrests have been made in connection with her death, that does not mean the Graham County Sheriff’s Office has given up.
Robbinsville heavyweight Jonah Teesateskie (left) locks horns with Polk County's Brady Carroll during the third round of the 1A state duals Feb. 5. Teesateskie was 1-of-7 Black Knights to qualify for the individual state tournament. Photo by Kensie Belk/The Graham Star

Robbinsville heavyweight Jonah Teesateskie (left) locks horns with Polk County's Brady Carroll during the third round of the 1A state duals Feb. 5. Teesateskie was 1-of-7 Black Knights to qualify for the individual state tournament. Photo by Kensie Belk/The Graham Star

Knights compete for 1A gold

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
This story will be updated Monday night with quick results from Robbinsville's journey through the 1A state individual tournament.
Under the hot pursuit of Swain County’s Miley Teav (11), Abby Wehr breaks up the floor during the second half of Friday’s win over the Lady Devils. Wehr led Robbinsville with 15 points in the victory. Photo by Kensie Belk/The Graham Star

Under the hot pursuit of Swain County’s Miley Teav (11), Abby Wehr breaks up the floor during the second half of Friday’s win over the Lady Devils. Wehr led Robbinsville with 15 points in the victory. Photo by Kensie Belk/The Graham Star

Knights vie for a bye

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Novie Dutcher sizes up a free throw during Friday’s JV girls win over Swain County.
Lucas Ford reviews a play with Tanner Hedden during Aug. 30’s game at Franklin. Ford’s rapport with the players had many of the Robbinsville faithful pulling for the Black Knight alum to be appointed as the new head football coach; Feb. 6, he was announced as Dee Walsh’s successor. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lucas Ford reviews a play with Tanner Hedden during Aug. 30’s game at Franklin. Ford’s rapport with the players had many of the Robbinsville faithful pulling for the Black Knight alum to be appointed as the new head football coach; Feb. 6, he was announced as Dee Walsh’s successor. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Built Ford tough

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Robbinsville – Less than 24 hours after being publicly named as the new head football coach and athletic director for Robbinsville High School, Lucas Ford scrolled through his phone in sheer amazement. “Look at this,” he said to a small crowd gathered around him.
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.