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The Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights beam with pride after winning their third consecutive Smoky Mountain Conference title Dec. 21. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

The Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights beam with pride after winning their third consecutive Smoky Mountain Conference title Dec. 21. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Middle school Knights seize conference title

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Bryson City – There’s no need for adjustment: the system is working just fine. While their varsity counterparts are busy with success, Robbinsville Middle School’s Black Knights have pieced together a run of three-straight Smoky Mountain Conference titles.
Forward Bryce Adams fights through the interior defense of Smoky Mountain’s Cameron Fowler (5) and Ace Pregner (14) on Dec. 27. Although the junior’s efforts in the game resulted in a double-double, the Black Knights suffered their first loss of the year. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Forward Bryce Adams fights through the interior defense of Smoky Mountain’s Cameron Fowler (5) and Ace Pregner (14) on Dec. 27. Although the junior’s efforts in the game resulted in a double-double, the Black Knights suffered their first loss of the year. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Unplanned re-run

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Kenyon Swimmer unloads a jumper during Robbinsville’s win over Veritas Christian Academy on Dec. 28. Sylva – The Black Knights were adamant about what they hoped to accomplish in the Smoky Mountain Christmas Invitational: win and win out.
The Black Knights gather around the inaugural “Mill vs. The ‘Ville” trophy, which was brought back to Robbinsville on Dec. 28 in the wake of a huge dual victory at Pisgah. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Black Knights gather around the inaugural “Mill vs. The ‘Ville” trophy, which was brought back to Robbinsville on Dec. 28 in the wake of a huge dual victory at Pisgah. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Long Black (Knight) Train

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Canton – Duals seem to go one of two ways: either it’s clear from the outset who’s in control, or the competition is so fierce that it turns into a race to the finish. The Dec.
Suri Watty was lights out from beyond the arc in Dec. 27’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Invitational opener, posting six in Robbinsville’s victory over the Lady Mustangs. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Suri Watty was lights out from beyond the arc in Dec. 27’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Invitational opener, posting six in Robbinsville’s victory over the Lady Mustangs. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Back on track

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Junior guard Claire Barlow works out of the corner and around the defense of Brevard’s Ella Scott on Dec. 29. Barlow finished with a team-best 19 points in the Christmas tournament finale.

Christmas Eve fire burns 1 acre

Marshall McClung
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Atoah – Holidays are often a busy time for emergency personnel – including firefighters. This was the case on Christmas Eve, when a brush fire was reported on Atoah Road around 2 p.m.

More digging unveils more town errors

Ruby Annas
Thursday, January 4, 2024
* Conclusion of a 2-part report Raleigh – The Graham Star’s second part of an examination on the recently-released North Carolina Office of the State Auditor’s 2023 investigation report of the Town of Robbinsville includes comments from local officials about the non-issued W-2 corrected statements...
Elijah Kirkland seemingly reaches into the lights – and over the plea of Andrews’ Tanner Postell – for two of his Black Knights-best 15 points in Dec. 14’s home win over the Wildcats. Photo courtesy of Jozlyn Garland/Contributing Photographer

Elijah Kirkland seemingly reaches into the lights – and over the plea of Andrews’ Tanner Postell – for two of his Black Knights-best 15 points in Dec. 14’s home win over the Wildcats. Photo courtesy of Jozlyn Garland/Contributing Photographer

On cusp of perfection

Kevin Hensley
Saturday, December 30, 2023
Robbinsville’s Bella Coats storms past the corner defense of Andrews’ Juliet Holloway on Dec. 14. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com Martins Creek – Things are pretty well in the bag at this juncture for the middle school Black Knights. Robbinsville (12-0) has already clinched the No.
After five grueling matches Saturday, the Robbinsville High School Black Knights proudly display the Pool C, Devil Duals first-place trophy. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

After five grueling matches Saturday, the Robbinsville High School Black Knights proudly display the Pool C, Devil Duals first-place trophy. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Devil of a Dual

Kevin Hensley
Saturday, December 30, 2023
Bryson City – Don’t let the outcomes fool you: Robbinsville earned the title of “Devil Duals Champions” on Saturday.
A familiar face, Sheila Phillips is retiring after operating Town Florist for 33 years. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

A familiar face, Sheila Phillips is retiring after operating Town Florist for 33 years. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Stopping to smell the roses

Latresa Phillips
Saturday, December 30, 2023
Robbinsville – On Jan. 1, 1991, two young ladies – Reba McCracken and Sheila Phillips – opened the doors to a new flower shop in Robbinsville. Two young business partners with a little skill, a little more talent and a lot of prayer, started out in the back of a gift shop at Five Point.