News

Robbinsville's Nathan Frederick leads a pack of runners during the 1,000-meter run at Jan. 28's meet in Mill Spring. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville's Nathan Frederick leads a pack of runners during the 1,000-meter run at Jan. 28's meet in Mill Spring. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Tryin' on a new championship

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Mill Spring – Leave it to Robbinsville to carve out a new chapter in its long-standing lineage of sports dominance. For the first time in school history, the Black Knights were named Smoky Mountain Conference Indoor Track champions, besting Swain County 112-105 at Jan.
Kristian Bauzo (left) attempts to evade the defense of Andrews’ Braylen Maennle on Jan. 27. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Kristian Bauzo (left) attempts to evade the defense of Andrews’ Braylen Maennle on Jan. 27. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Flying high

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Hiwassee Dam – Dampened by four postponements – the result of Winter Storm Gianna sweeping across western North Carolina – the Black Knights only hit the hardwood once last week. Robbinsville traveled to the westernmost high school in the state Jan.
Though still in the planning stages, this is an early overview of the Robbinsville Greenway – which would connect Robbinsville Middle/High School off Sweetwater Road with the Stanley Ball Field off Snowbird Road.

Though still in the planning stages, this is an early overview of the Robbinsville Greenway – which would connect Robbinsville Middle/High School off Sweetwater Road with the Stanley Ball Field off Snowbird Road.

Greenway plans begins to emerge

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Robbinsville – After years of discussion and planning, it appears that a tranquil, outdoor connection between Robbinsville Middle/High School and the Stanley Ball Field may finally come to life.
Robbinsville’s Micah York was the Black Knights’ leading scorer in Jan. 12’s season wrap-up: the semifinals of the divisional tournament, which was contested against Hayesville. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Micah York was the Black Knights’ leading scorer in Jan. 12’s season wrap-up: the semifinals of the divisional tournament, which was contested against Hayesville. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights eliminated from middle school tournament

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Andrews – The hopes of adding another year to the championship banners inside the Robbinsville Elementary School gymnasium will have to wait at least one more season.
Senior Abby Wehr (3) manuevers past the outstretched hand of Andrews' Juliet Holloway for a first-half basket attempt Tuesday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Senior Abby Wehr (3) manuevers past the outstretched hand of Andrews' Juliet Holloway for a first-half basket attempt Tuesday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights split divisional slate

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights pounced on Murphy early in Jan. 22's home appointment and never looked back, going on to down the Lady Bulldogs 53-31. Robbinsville (8-7, 2-4) led 11-5 after the first quarter – though the visitors made things interesting by trimming the deficit to 20-15 at halftime.

Black Knights reign on Cats and Dogs

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Black Knights guard Dane Knott – shown launching a long-range shot Tuesday against Andrews – is averaging 21 points per game this season. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.
The Robbinsville Black Knights gather with the 2025-26 Smoky Mountain Conference Traditional Tournament championship trophy, which they won Jan. 22 at Cherokee. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

The Robbinsville Black Knights gather with the 2025-26 Smoky Mountain Conference Traditional Tournament championship trophy, which they won Jan. 22 at Cherokee. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Different tournament, same result

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Cherokee – The Black Knights continue to be the standard bearer in Smoky Mountain Conference wrestling. After mowing through the divisional duals, Robbinsville carved up the competition in the conference’s traditional tournament at Cherokee on Jan. 22.
This photo of Nan Hill sits inside the Robbinsville Elementary School Cafeteria as a tribute to the former lunchroom worker. A new fund has been set up to help assist students with food purchases in her honor.

This photo of Nan Hill sits inside the Robbinsville Elementary School Cafeteria as a tribute to the former lunchroom worker. A new fund has been set up to help assist students with food purchases in her honor.

'Nan Hill Loves You Fund' established for students

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Robbinsville – If you have ever wanted to ensure that every student at Robbinsville Elementary School would not have to go through the day without a meal, a newly established fund can make the hope a reality.
Robbinsville's Aaliyah Wolfe (left) keeps a watchful eye on Cherokee's Dvdaya Swimmer during Friday's conference road game. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville's Aaliyah Wolfe (left) keeps a watchful eye on Cherokee's Dvdaya Swimmer during Friday's conference road game. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights cruise to 1st conference win

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Robbinsville – After suffering through some heartbreakers and tough competition, the Lady Knights collected their first divisional victory of the season Tuesday.
Black Knights point guard Luke Lovin splits a pair of Cherokee defenders, who can only look on in amazement as the senior glides through the air for a basket attempt during Friday's conference road game. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights point guard Luke Lovin splits a pair of Cherokee defenders, who can only look on in amazement as the senior glides through the air for a basket attempt during Friday's conference road game. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights win 10th game of season

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Robbinsville put the memory of its first conference loss in the rearview mirror Tuesday, knocking off Rosman (1-12, 0-5) at home 66-33. The victory improved the Black Knights to 10-3 (3-1 in divisional play), which solidifies Robbinsville's fifth-straight 10-win season.