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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

'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

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

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 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

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.

Lady Knights senior Desta Trammell shoves the ball toward the net on a breakaway in Friday’s Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament finals. Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights roll after shaky playoff start

Kevin Hensley

Friday, February 24, 2023

Robbinsville – It took the Lady Knights a full quarter to get their offensive engines roaring. Starmount was left in their dust. In what could be the final home game for Robbinsville (No.

Koleson Dooley won his first 1A state championship Saturday, last besting Pamlico County’s Tyler Stevens 5-2 in the 220-pound finals. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Triangle of terror

Kevin Hensley

Friday, February 24, 2023

Black Knights senior Willie Riddle hung tough with defending 145-pound state champion Lorenzo Alston (Uwharrie Charter Academy) in the finals Saturday, before incurring a majority-decision loss.

Fontana council back to full strength

Kevin Hensley

Friday, February 24, 2023

Fontana Dam – It has became a light-hearted question around the small resort town: why the constant turnover on the Fontana Dam council? The question answers itself – it’s literally a one-horse town, with Fontana Village Resort and Marina being the only business within its limits. Residents are 99.

Brush fire follows rain

Marshall McClung

Friday, February 24, 2023

Wolf Creek – In spite of recent heavy rainfall, a few days of wind and sun has dried the woods enough to burn already. The Graham County 911 dispatch received a report of a brush fire out of control around 3:15 p.m. Sunday.