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Cameron Allison – shown taking flight in Nov. 30’s home game against Swain County – produced back-to-back, 22-point performances in the last week for Robbinsville’s 10-0, middle school Black Knights. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Cameron Allison – shown taking flight in Nov. 30’s home game against Swain County – produced back-to-back, 22-point performances in the last week for Robbinsville’s 10-0, middle school Black Knights. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights now 10-0

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Robbinsville – When the Hiwassee Dam/Ranger rolled into the Robbinsville Elementary School Gym parking lot Dec. 7, a lot of anticipation followed suit. The second game of the year was in the back of both teams’ minds: Robbinsville had won the Nov. 9 appointment, 52-44.
Lleyton Hooper applies a half-nelson during Tuesday’s dual against Cherokee. Photo courtesy of Jacquline Gayosso/Contributing Photographer

Lleyton Hooper applies a half-nelson during Tuesday’s dual against Cherokee. Photo courtesy of Jacquline Gayosso/Contributing Photographer

Dual frenzy

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Robbinsville – Six duals in a span of four days would be a grind for most programs. For Robbinsville, it’s business as usual. The Black Knights welcomed schools from across – and outside – the state for Saturday’s inaugural H.O.O.T.
Robbinsville’s Delaney Brooms (21) jostles with Smoky Mountain’s Kieara Ensley (2) and Julia Macauley over a rebound during the Lady Knights’ win over the Lady Mustangs on Dec. 7. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Robbinsville’s Delaney Brooms (21) jostles with Smoky Mountain’s Kieara Ensley (2) and Julia Macauley over a rebound during the Lady Knights’ win over the Lady Mustangs on Dec. 7. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Lady Knights shake off overtime road scare

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Anna Williams (left) attempts to evade a Smoky Mountain defender in Robbinsville’s successful JV season opener Dec. 7. Highlands – The trip to Highlands School often produces a mixed reaction from any team that endures the winding journey to the plateau.
Dane Knott shouts instructions to the Black Knights in the ealry moments of Robbinsville’s win over Smoky Mountain on Dec. 7. A sophomore, Knott has taken the reins as the Knights’ point guard this season. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Dane Knott shouts instructions to the Black Knights in the ealry moments of Robbinsville’s win over Smoky Mountain on Dec. 7. A sophomore, Knott has taken the reins as the Knights’ point guard this season. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Varsity boys flexing in early portion of season

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Kyzik Teesateskie eyes an inside shot during the first half of Dec. 7's tango with Smoky Mountain.
The Town of Robbinsville Board of Aldermen voted to give the fence along East Main Street/Veterans Hill a complete facelift. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

The Town of Robbinsville Board of Aldermen voted to give the fence along East Main Street/Veterans Hill a complete facelift. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Fence to be replaced

Ruby Annas
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Robbinsville – A bid of $63,169 was approved by the Robbinsville Board of Aldermen at its Dec. 6 meeting, to completely replace the fence along East Main Street/Veterans Hill. “It is in pretty bad shape,” observed alderwoman Debbie Beasley. “Wooden fences will always need to be repaired.

Mental health, nutrition addressed

Ruby Annas
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Robbinsville – The Graham County Board of Education approved adding new procedures for student mental health support, discussed funds for school meals and other items.
Service technician Chris Kingsbury loads up one of the 11 Print-Elect machines demonstrated in the Dec. 7 mock election. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Service technician Chris Kingsbury loads up one of the 11 Print-Elect machines demonstrated in the Dec. 7 mock election. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

8 filings for 2024 races

News Staff
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Graham County Board of Elections members Lowell Crisp (left) and Beefy Rogers (center) join deputy director Tasha Holder in trying out the new Printelect machines during Dec. 7’s mock election. The upgraded equipment will be available to local voters next year.
The new Lake Santeetlah council was sworn in Monday. From left are Ralph Strunk, Kevin Haag, Diana Simon and Keith Predmore. Jim Hager – who was appointed as finance officer – was not present. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

The new Lake Santeetlah council was sworn in Monday. From left are Ralph Strunk, Kevin Haag, Diana Simon and Keith Predmore. Jim Hager – who was appointed as finance officer – was not present. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Fresh start for Lake Santeetlah?

Ruby Annas
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Jim Hager Lake Santeetlah – The newest faces of the Town of Lake Santeetlah council held a special-called meeting Monday. “This council will be working together,” said Diana Simon, who was appointed the town’s mayor in a unanimous vote by the council.
Carsan Snider (22) passes to Micah York late in Robbinsville Middle School’s 63-32, home victory over Swain County on Nov. 30. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Carsan Snider (22) passes to Micah York late in Robbinsville Middle School’s 63-32, home victory over Swain County on Nov. 30. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

We meet again

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 8, 2023
Robbinsville Middle School’s boys basketball team has taken care of business in each of its assignments thus far. The closest threat to a blemish came early in the campaign – the second game of the year, to be exact. Robbinsville prevailed 52-44 over Hiwassee Dam/Ranger on Nov.
Liz Carpenter pulls down a rebound during Tuesday’s season opener against Nantahala. The junior small forward finished the game with a team-best 19 points. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Liz Carpenter pulls down a rebound during Tuesday’s season opener against Nantahala. The junior small forward finished the game with a team-best 19 points. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Flyin’ high

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 8, 2023
Robbinsville – Between the Lady Knights and Black Knights, a whopping 163 points sank through the nets during Tuesday’s two-game debuts against Nantahala.