Middle school girls enter win column
Robbinsville – It did not take long for the pieces to fall into place.
Rather than carrying a negative attitude on the first road trip of the season, the Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights left a stunning 47-46, season-opening loss to Murphy in the rearview mirror. Just three days removed from the defeat – a game in which the Lady Bulldogs never led until the final 10 seconds of play – Robbinsville traveled to Hiwassee Dam/Ranger, where the Lady Knights swooped in and deposited a 52-29 win over the Lady Eagles.
The middle school boys continued their strong beginning to the slate at Hiwassee Dam/Ranger. Bolstered by a 30-point game from Cameron Allison, the Black Knights prevailed in a 52-44 jousting.
The return home Monday produced split results for the programs: with an inspiring third-quarter performance showing what the team is truly capable of, the girls fell 49-28 to Cherokee.
Meanwhile, the Black Knights used a 9-0 start against the Braves to send the visitors packing, 53-32.
Lady Knights
Robbinsville (1-2) trailed 30-8 at halftime of Monday’s opener, but a keyed-in team emerged from the locker room and promptly went on an 18-10 run to trim the deficit to 14.
Though the final outcome was not what the hosts were looking for, there were a lot of positives away from the intensity and hustle the Lady Knights showed after a flat start to the game.
Zaelyn Phillips had seven points in the game to lead Robbinsville. Jayden Chekeleelee dropped six, while Zayleigh Chekeleelee posted five. Both Bella Coats and Zachlan Chekeleelee put up four apiece, while Daphne Barlow recorded a basket.
Offense was much easier to come by in Ranger. Phillips again led the Knights with 13 points to her credit. Zayleigh Chekeleelee posted 10, while Barlow had nine.
Also on the crowded scoreline was Zachlan Chekeleelee 8, Coats 5, Kyla Garland 2, Jayden Chekeleelee 2, Cassidy Sudderth 2 and Brooklyn Cox 1.
Black Knights
Robbinsville’s starting five dominated from the opening tip Monday, with lightning-quick steals and shooting threats at all positions.
Cherokee only mustered 11 points against the heavy pressure in the first half of the Knights’ resounding statement to the rest of the Smoky Mountain Conference.
“To be honest, this game has been marked on my calendar since the schedule was released,” said Robbinsville head coach Jonathan Allison. “Cherokee swept us twice last year – and in the conference tournament. I told the guys before the game, ‘It is your time. Be tough, show heart and play fast – but in control.’
“All around, I believe as a team effort it was the best game I have seen during my two-year tenure here at Robbinsville. We still have a lot to work on to accomplish our goal; too many wide-open lay-ups and free throws were missed tonight. We also have to get better on the defensive side of the ball; communication and rotation, so we don’t allow easy shots inside-the-paint; boxing out and getting more physical inside, too.
“Overall, I am proud of our boys, but we will put this win behind us and into the next game.”
Allison and Elijah Kirkland knocked down 11 each to lead Robbinsville in the victory.
Bam Nelms posted 10, while Xamuel Wachacha tallied seven.
Elsewhere on the scoreline, Landen Eddings had six; Peyton Weaver connected on a pair of fourth-quarter buckets; and both Eli Lambert and Carsen Snider recorded a basket apiece.
In addition to Allison’s 30-spot at Hiwassee Dam/Ranger on Nov. 9, Lambert recorded eight points; both Snider and Wachacha drained six each; and Nelms had two.
“You could tell the team was scattered from the tip,” Allison explained. “My hats off to HD/R; they jumped on us and it stayed that way until four minutes were left in the game.
“Our boys showed toughness and heart to claw back, and get a small lead with just over two minutes left.”