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Middle school Black Knight Brayden Allison prepares to shoot around the defense of Murphy’s John Parker Watson during Monday’s loss to the Bulldogs. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Middle school Black Knight Brayden Allison prepares to shoot around the defense of Murphy’s John Parker Watson during Monday’s loss to the Bulldogs. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Middle school splits the bill

Kevin Hensley
Monday, December 16, 2024
Bryson City – A clean sweep of Swain County by Robbinsville on Dec. 5 was followed by a shaky showing at home Monday. The middle school Lady Knights (5-4) exorcised the Devils 54-16, while the Black Knights (4-5) cast out the demons 47-44.
Skyler Anderson became the latest Black Knight to record 100 career wins, achieving the feat Saturday during the Jim Hayes Invitational. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Skyler Anderson became the latest Black Knight to record 100 career wins, achieving the feat Saturday during the Jim Hayes Invitational. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

100 wins in the books

Kevin Hensley
Monday, December 16, 2024
Charlotte – Just two weeks removed from teammate Loxston Hooper picking up career victory No. 100, Black Knight grappler Skyler Anderson accomplished the same feat during Saturday’s Jim Hayes Invitational.
Senior Liz Carpenter sizes up a free throw Monday against Smoky Mountain. Through the first three games of the year, Carpenter is averaging 15.3 points per game. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Senior Liz Carpenter sizes up a free throw Monday against Smoky Mountain. Through the first three games of the year, Carpenter is averaging 15.3 points per game. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Knights not playing nice

Kevin Hensley
Monday, December 16, 2024
Highlands – The Lady Knights have won each of their first three games this season by a combined 13 points. "Close" only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, though – a "W" is all that matters.
Bryce Adams attempts to dribble around Smoky Mountain’s Custer Pregner during Monday’s home opener. Adams has led Robbinsville’s scoreline in three of the Black Knights’ first four games this season. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Bryce Adams attempts to dribble around Smoky Mountain’s Custer Pregner during Monday’s home opener. Adams has led Robbinsville’s scoreline in three of the Black Knights’ first four games this season. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Plenty to brag about

Kevin Hensley
Monday, December 16, 2024
Nantahala – While their varsity counterparts were still prepping to play their first game, the Black Knights cruised to an easy victory in their 2024-25 debut. A boys-only affair at Nantahala (3-2) on Dec.
Children and adults alike gather to decorate cookies Saturday at Stecoah’s Christmas in the Mountains. Photos by Royce Worbington/The Graham Star

Children and adults alike gather to decorate cookies Saturday at Stecoah’s Christmas in the Mountains. Photos by Royce Worbington/The Graham Star

Breakfast, crafts, Santa, vendors – oh my!

Latresa Phillips
Monday, December 16, 2024
Mr. and Mrs. Claus greeted everyone on the stage inside the Lynn L. Shields Auditorium.
Alexis Miller slams teammate Julia Vazquez during Nov. 7’s scrimmage. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Alexis Miller slams teammate Julia Vazquez during Nov. 7’s scrimmage. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Invitational appetizers

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 6, 2024
Hendersonville – While others were thawing out a feast – or traveling to spend the holiday with family – Robbinsville’s wrestling program was squeezing in one final set of tournaments just 24 hours before Thanksgiving.
Lady Knights point guard Zayleigh Chekelelee scans the floor for passing options Monday against Hayesville. Chekelelee recorded 22 points against the Lady Jackets in Robbinsville’s victory. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights point guard Zayleigh Chekelelee scans the floor for passing options Monday against Hayesville. Chekelelee recorded 22 points against the Lady Jackets in Robbinsville’s victory. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Stung on the Chek

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 6, 2024
Robbinsville – The middle school Lady Knights quickly reversed what looked to be a post-Thanksgiving lull Monday, drubbing Hayesville 51-36 at Robbinsville Elementary School. Competing for the first time since Nov.
Amidst a first-quarter scrum, Robbinsville’s Kasen Buchanan (88) wraps up Murphy’s Cameron Clem during Friday’s third-round playoff game. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Amidst a first-quarter scrum, Robbinsville’s Kasen Buchanan (88) wraps up Murphy’s Cameron Clem during Friday’s third-round playoff game. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Black Friday

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 6, 2024
Murphy – The Black Knights and the Bulldogs meeting for postseason supremacy is almost a rite of passage at this point.  In fact, both the 2018 and 2020 Western Regional title games were contested between the two Smoky Mountain Conference foes; in 2021, they met in the Elite 8.
Graham County Sheriff's Office Deputy Jarod Lovelace encounters one of the individuals authorities were searching for around 1 p.m., Tuesday, as part of "Operation Dirty Laundry: Phase 2." The suspect was apprehended just outside the Robbinsville city limits, after being spotted on foot walking north off U.S. Highway 129 (Tapoco Road). Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Graham County Sheriff's Office Deputy Jarod Lovelace encounters one of the individuals authorities were searching for around 1 p.m., Tuesday, as part of "Operation Dirty Laundry: Phase 2." The suspect was apprehended just outside the Robbinsville city limits, after being spotted on foot walking north off U.S. Highway 129 (Tapoco Road). Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

More 'Dirty Laundry;' more arrests

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Three full days removed from launching "Operation Dirty Laundry," the Graham County Sheriff's Office again combined forces with regional agencies Tuesday to conclude Phase 2 of the 11-month investigation.
Loxston Hooper recorded career win No. 100 during Saturday’s Trojan Duals. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Loxston Hooper recorded career win No. 100 during Saturday’s Trojan Duals. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Hooper wins 100th

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Loxston Hooper’s joined Robbinsville’s growing lineage of 100-win grapplers Saturday.