At the conclusion of the 2025-26 basketball season, the annual All-Smoky Mountain Conference teams were released.
For the Black Knights, Dane Knott and Luke Lovin were both named All-Conference. Kristian Bauzo, Nathan Frederick and Xamuel Wachacha each received honorable mentions.
Meanwhile, the Lady Knights qualified Zayleigh Chekelelee, Zaelyn Phillips and Abby Wehr for the Honorable Mention list.
Black Knights
Head coach Jake Beasley extolled the virtues of each player that was named to the esteemed line-up, beginning with seniors Knott and Lovin – both two-time, All-Conference athletes.
"Both of them are tremendous leaders," Beasley said. "We obviously depended on Dane for scoring. He's a good basketball player, but he's a great kid. He put the time in over the summer and in the preseason. Dane was a tremendous asset for us.
"Luke kept us together. He didn't have the year he wanted scoring-wise – and he knows that – but he's not worried about it. He's a competitor."
Knott finished the year averaging 19.1 points per game (with the number increasing to 20.2 in conference action); while Lovin had six assists per game.
Bauzo is a newcomer to the team, moving to Robbinsville from Puerto Rico in the offseason. He joined classmate Nathan Frederick as the junior representatives on the Honorable Mention roster.
"Kristian had trouble adjusting early on to the defense, because it's a bit different here than it is in Puerto Rico," Beasley explained. "He plays extremely hard and is a great kid. He can do a lot of things really good. Any coach would want him on their team; he's a great teammate.
"Nathan is a blessing to have. You can tell him to do something and it'll get done. I really feel like he deserved to be All-Conference. He's undersized, but he only knows one gear: wide open."
Frederick led Robbinsville with an average of eight rebounds per game this year.
Rounding out the list is Wachacha, a lightning-quick sophomore.
"Xamuel played a huge role for us," Beasley said. "He obviously came in and was already in phenomenal shape, because he runs cross country, plays football and also competes at indoor track. He's a smaller kid, but he plays very consistent defense; he's going to get in your face. He started the second half of the season and has a tremendous future ahead of him."
The Black Knights once again made history this season, clinching the No. 1 West seed for the first time in program history. Robbinsville advanced to the third round of the playoffs for just the second time ever and finished the year 21-6.
"It's always tough to make that switch from football to basketball," Beasley noted. "The boys wanted to do something that had never been done in the history of Robbinsville basketball and we were almost to the end of the season, when Luke and Dane came up to me and said, 'We're going to be the No. 1 seed.' Sure enough, we were. That's how special this group is."
If that's not enough, consider this: the team is 34-9 in divisional play since 2022-23; and 44-7 at home during that same timeframe.
"I feel like we missed a chance this year, but these young kids are hungry," Beasley said. "This JV group is immensely talented. If you haven't seen them play, you need to come out.
"We'll get there (to a state championship) soon."
Beasley also downplayed a huge personal achievement, as the coach surpassed his 100th career victory Feb. 4, when Robbinsville downed Swain County 74-56.
Beasley is now 107-85 as the Black Knights' head coach.
"That speaks to the kids that have came through this program," said Beasley. "I had some growing up to do and my own system I wanted to get in place, but I hope each of them know how much they've impacted me, past and present.
Lady Knights
Speaking of making history, Robbinsville's varsity girls are just two weeks removed from the program's initial state finals appearance.
The Lady Knights looked past a No. 9 seed in the playoffs and an 11-loss season to advance to the 1A title game, finishing the year 17-12 under first-year coach Brooklyn Lester.
Robbinsville finished in the middle of the pack in the league, however, which resulted in just three of the athletes being named to the All-Conference Honorable Mention list.
"We are so proud of our Lady Knights," Lester said. "This doesn't even begin to reflect their talent, grit and heart."
Chekelelee stepped up as the freshman point guard and finished the year with 10.1 PPG.
"Zayleigh was a true scoring machine from behind the arc and a constant offensive threat for the Lady Knights," said Lester. "She showed tremendous growth, stepping into the point guard position, developing her leadership and decision making throughout the season. With so much talent, she brought confidence and energy when she touched the ball. When the team needed a bucket, Zayleigh was the one to go to. It's exciting to see what she has in store.
A sophomore, Phillips juggled her duties between guard and forward. She averaged 9.2 RPG and 9.7 RPG.
"Zaelyn is extremely coachable and never afraid to try new things we introduce in practice, which has helped her grow tremendously," said Lester. "She's as quick as they come, able to chase players down on defense and is a true rebounding machine. A force under the rim, she has the versatility to play both guard and post positions. With her strong work ethic and relentless drive, it's exciting to see what she'll accomplish next year."
Rounding out the list is a lynchpin for Robbinsville athletics. Wehr wrapped up her senior campaign with 9.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 3.0 APG and 3.0 SPG.
"Abby was the natural leader of the Lady Knights, both on- and off-the-court," Lester said. "She was vocal when needed, but more importantly, she led by example through her effort and consistency on both offense and defense. Extremely coachable, Abby gave 100% every time she stepped on the floor, setting the standard for her teammates. She led with patience and love, always encouraging those around her while also pushing them to be their very best."