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Brooke Cox, Ella Nelms and Myah Winfrey (from left) listen intently as Robbinsville head coach Brittany Snider sets up a play during a late timeout Jan. 15 at Hayesville. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights back in semifinals

Kevin Hensley

Friday, January 31, 2025

Bryson City – Following the quarterfinals of the 2024-25 Smoky Mountain Conference middle school championship tournament, one of Robbinsville’s teams is right back in the same position it was last year, while another was dismissed early. The Lady Knights (No.

Robbinsville’s Kellen Ensley brushed off a desperate attempt by North Henderson’s Aden Slusser to break up this standing single-leg to win the 215-pound bout in the third period Jan. 22. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Full steam ahead

Kevin Hensley

Friday, January 31, 2025

Robbinsville – State duals are right around the corner, but no matter the format in front of them when the Black Knights arrive to a gym, there is no disputing that the program is wrestling in top form. After celebrating Senior Night on Jan.

Robbinsville’s Anna Williams (5) and Suri Watty (23) trap Murphy’s Ilie Smith on Tuesday. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights split 4-game schedule

Kevin Hensley

Friday, January 31, 2025

Robbinsville – Four games in as many school days kept the local high school basketball stars busy.

Robbinsville’s Kyzik Teesateskie (20) defies gravity to deny Copper Basin’s Talon Smith on Monday. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights continue hunt for title

Kevin Hensley

Friday, January 31, 2025

Bam Nelms aims to fire one of his team-high 24 points in the JV Black Knights' win over Murphy on Tuesday. Murphy – With portions of Graham County still blanketed in snow, Robbinsville’s basketball program embarked on a “4-for-4” slate over the course of the last week.

Dee Walsh gives one final pep talk before what proved to also be his final preseason scrimmage Aug. 16 at T.C. Roberson High School. After winning 189 career games in 22 seasons at his alma mater, Walsh announced he was stepping down as both head football coach and Robbinsville High School’s athletic director Friday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

End of an era

Kevin Hensley

Friday, January 31, 2025

Dee Walsh was the quarterback of back-to-back state championship football teams for Robbinsville in 1973 and 1974. The Black Knights were 21-5 during the run. Robbinsville – One could argue that Dee Walsh has spent more time coaching Black Knights football than in the comfort of his own recliner.

More snowfall, more … brush fires?

Marshall McClung

Friday, January 31, 2025

Santeetlah – Apparently, the saying “history repeats itself” is true: the last two snowfalls in Graham County have both been followed by brush fires in the same weeks. Maybe the next time it snows, firefighters will be tempted to grab fire rakes instead of snow shovels. Shortly after 3 p.m.

Robbinsville High School senior Shalimar Daniels soaks in the adulation of fans across Big Oaks Stadium on Oct. 4, after being introduced as an honorary attendant during homecoming. Photo by Royce Worbington/The Graham Star

'Forever our sunshine’

Latresa Phillips

Friday, January 31, 2025

Shortly after being informed of Shalimar Daniels’ passing Jan. 23, students at Robbinsville High School got to work creating this tribute near the front entrance to the facility.

Town could close by May

Kevin Hensley

Friday, January 31, 2025

Fontana Dam – It may seem to many that the Town of Fontana Dam is relatively new. That’s because – relatively speaking – it is: its first council was sworn in May 8, 2011. But only 13 ½ years after its formation, the final months of Fontana Dam as a municipality could very well lie ahead.

Suri Watty takes flight amongst the flocked defense of Lady Eagles Olivia McNabb (15), Bella Stiles (44), Sky Taylor and Abby Harris (21) on Jan. 14. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Knights scorch Maroon Devils

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Dane Knott prepares to deposit a foul shot Tuesday at Swain County. Knott led Robbinsville with 22 points in the win over the Maroon Devils. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star Bryson City – The Knights’ returned to Smoky Mountain Conference play Tuesday with great vengeance and furious anger.

Skyler Anderson wraps up West-Oak’s Gunner Mease during the 106-pound finals of the James Orr Invitational on Saturday. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Anderson, Panama run the table

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Adair Panama applies a low waist-lock on Glenn’s Yusel Aguilar en route to winning the 113-pound weight class Saturday. Robbinsville – Proving that less is better, the Black Knights’ two lightest grapplers sawed through the field during the James Orr Invitational on Saturday.