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The Robbinsville Lady Knights were understandably distraught while accepting the 1A Western Regional Runner-Up plaque after dropping the game 41-30 to Bishop McGuinness. All names are listed from left. Front row: Desta Trammell, Kensley Phillips, Bella Ford, Fala Welch and Suri Watty. Back row: Liz Carpenter, Olivia Lewis, Aubrie Wachacha, Bentley Riggs, Abby Wehr, Anna Williams, Katie-Lyn Gross, Anna York and Maleah Cox. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Lady Knights were understandably distraught while accepting the 1A Western Regional Runner-Up plaque after dropping the game 41-30 to Bishop McGuinness. All names are listed from left. Front row: Desta Trammell, Kensley Phillips, Bella Ford, Fala Welch and Suri Watty. Back row: Liz Carpenter, Olivia Lewis, Aubrie Wachacha, Bentley Riggs, Abby Wehr, Anna Williams, Katie-Lyn Gross, Anna York and Maleah Cox. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights fall short in regional final

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Senior Fala Welch scored the final basket of Robbinsville's season in the closing seconds of Saturday's 1A Western Regional Final. Morganton – The deepest playoff run in Lady Knights’ basketball history was halted in the state semifinals on Saturday.
Keith McAlum builds portable chicken coops in shop space off Long Branch Road near Robbinsville. Photo by Randy Foster/Cherokee Scout

Keith McAlum builds portable chicken coops in shop space off Long Branch Road near Robbinsville. Photo by Randy Foster/Cherokee Scout

Business is a drag

Randy Foster
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Tallulah –  Keith McAlum realizes that the fruit of his labor is a drag on his customers, but he’s happy about it – and so are his customers. McAlum is a carpenter who builds chicken coops with a twist: they have wheels on one end and a sturdy handle on the other (or two for the larger versions).
At the outset of Tuesday’s meeting, the Graham County Board of Education recognized Susie Beasley, who retired after 30 years of service to local schools. From left are school board member Pam Knott, board Chair Rodney Nelson, Beasley, school board members Debra Dinschel and Chip Carringer, and Superintendent Angie Knight. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

At the outset of Tuesday’s meeting, the Graham County Board of Education recognized Susie Beasley, who retired after 30 years of service to local schools. From left are school board member Pam Knott, board Chair Rodney Nelson, Beasley, school board members Debra Dinschel and Chip Carringer, and Superintendent Angie Knight. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Graduation date revealed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Robbinsville – Attendees of the final senior ceremonies this year will be able to enjoy cooler temperatures.

Shooting season begins

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Canton – A pair of standout performances highlighted Robbinsville’s first entry into the 2023 shooting season, which occurred Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Midwest Invitational in Canton. Ryan Lynn was the highest finisher for Robbinsville High School, taking 16th in the packed 121-competitor field.
A foul shot late in Saturday’s third-round playoff game at Eastern Randolph gave Robbinsville senior Brock Adams his 1,000th career point. He finished his Black Knights run holding steady to the tally. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

A foul shot late in Saturday’s third-round playoff game at Eastern Randolph gave Robbinsville senior Brock Adams his 1,000th career point. He finished his Black Knights run holding steady to the tally. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Magic disappears

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Ramseur – On the final offering from the charity stripe of his high-school chapter, Brock Adams sank his 1,000th career point. Talk about cutting it close.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights gather for the final “W” photo they will take on their home court, after polishing off the Draughn Lady Wildcats 65-41 in the fourth round of the state playoffs. All names are listed from left. Front row: Anna York, Suri Watty, Maleah Cox, Abby Wehr, Olivia Lewis, Aubrie Wachacha and Liz Carpenter. Back row: Bella Ford, Bentley Riggins, Katie-Lyn Gross, Desta Trammell, Anna Williams and Kensley Phillips. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Lady Knights gather for the final “W” photo they will take on their home court, after polishing off the Draughn Lady Wildcats 65-41 in the fourth round of the state playoffs. All names are listed from left. Front row: Anna York, Suri Watty, Maleah Cox, Abby Wehr, Olivia Lewis, Aubrie Wachacha and Liz Carpenter. Back row: Bella Ford, Bentley Riggins, Katie-Lyn Gross, Desta Trammell, Anna Williams and Kensley Phillips. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

'We proved everybody wrong'

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Freshman guard Suri Watty brings the ball up the floor during Feb. 23's second-round road win over the Albemarle Lady Bulldogs. Photo courtesy of Marjorie Jaynes/Albemarle High School Robbinsville – A lot of positive factors have to fall in place to reach the semifinals of the state tournament.
The Polar Plunge returned Feb. 18, the first time the frigid event had been held since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo courtesy of Graham County Schools

The Polar Plunge returned Feb. 18, the first time the frigid event had been held since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo courtesy of Graham County Schools

Quick dip

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Lake Santeetlah – For the first time since February 2020, the chilly “Polar Plunge” was held. Volunteers were sponsored by area residents and businesses, and tasked with setting aside both personal ego – and all feeling in their extremities – to rush into the cold waters of Lake Santeetlah on Feb.
Crews acted quickly to combat a blaze that burned two acres on Stecoah Mountain on Feb. 22. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Crews acted quickly to combat a blaze that burned two acres on Stecoah Mountain on Feb. 22. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Ring of fire

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Stecoah – Nighttime travelers on N.C. 143 (Sweetwater Road) have no doubt witnessed roaring blazes on the roadside for the last few months – the remnants of brush, trees and other foliage cleared in preparation for the Corridor K expansion. First seen near the Slaybacon Road/N.C.
Lady Knights head coach Lucas Ford draws up a play during a timeout at Feb. 25's, third-round postseason game against Eastern Randolph. Photo by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Lady Knights head coach Lucas Ford draws up a play during a timeout at Feb. 25's, third-round postseason game against Eastern Randolph. Photo by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Lady Knights face Villains in first regional-finals appearance

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Morganton — The deepest playoff run in Lady Knights basketball history was halted in the state semifinals on Saturday.
In junction with the players on the floor, the Black Knights’ passionate fanbase erupts inside the Ken Solesbee Athletic Center at the final buzzer Friday, as Robbinsville wrapped up the 2022-23 Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament Championship by knocking off Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

In junction with the players on the floor, the Black Knights’ passionate fanbase erupts inside the Ken Solesbee Athletic Center at the final buzzer Friday, as Robbinsville wrapped up the 2022-23 Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament Championship by knocking off Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights sustain wild tournament finale

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 24, 2023
Andrews – Normally, the less said about a situation like the one that sparked a quick sprint of coaches, officials and school-resource officers, the better. But the situation cannot be swept under the rug.