Varsity girls still on quest for 1st win of 2025
Robbinsville – After a tough stretch of losses – which included a pair of 3-point defeats – the Black Knights finally reversed their fortunes Tuesday night.
Winless since leaving Hiwassee Dam (6-6) on the better end of a 79-51 blowout Dec. 16, Robbinsville (6-5) snapped a 4-game losing streak in the return game with the Eagles. Dominant from the opening tip, the Knights sliced and diced their way to a resounding 80-44 win over the visitors.
Emerging with the team lead in points was Bryce Adams, who dropped 15 points on the Eagles. Knott finished with 13, while Quinn Jumper posted 10.
Also scoring was Kenyon Swimmer 8; Luke Lovin 7; Isiac Collins, Nathan Frederick and Darion Ledbetter, 5 each; Jones and Tytan Teesateskie, 4 apiece; and Kasen Buchanan and Trey Lambert, 2 each.
Due to inclement weather, the game was the first Robbinsville squeezed in since a heartbreaking 63-60 loss to North Buncombe (8-6).
Adams was once again the top shooter for the Graham County lads, connecting for 18 in the loss. Lovin collected 10, while Knott and Swimmer each hit nine.
Others contributing to the cause were Ledbetter 8; and Collins, Jones and Jumper, 2 apiece.
Lady Knights
Despite a spirited effort, the varsity girls could not avenge a 58-31 loss to North Buncombe (10-4) on Dec. 20, falling 55-44 in the rematch Jan. 8.
Suri Watty led Robbinsville (4-6) with 10 points in the defeat. Also scoring was Claire Barlow 9; Liz Carpenter 8; Zaelyn Phillips and Bentley Riggins, 6 each; and Abby Wehr, 5.
The Knights led 6-5 in the early going of Tuesday’s return with Hiwassee Dam (10-2), but the visitors soared away with the advantage by going on an 11-0 flight. The final tally was 68-39, Hiwassee Dam.
Carpenter nearly accounted for half of the Lady Knights’ offense, scoring 18 in the game. Also scoring for Robbinsville was Phillips 9, Riggins 6, Wehr 3, Anna Williams 2 and Maleah Cox 1.
After starting the season 4-0, the Knights are looking to put an end to a 6-game slide. They have been held to under 40 points in three of the losses and are averaging 41.8 points per game during the stretch.
Junior varsity
Robbinsville (6-3) also ended its JV drought, with the Black Knights picking up a thunderous 62-27 win over Hiwassee Dam on Tuesday.
Elijah Kirkland led the Knights with 16 points. Others scoring were Eli Lambert 15; Bam Nelms and Xamuel Wachacha, 12 each; Tucker Jones 4; and Slade Freeman 3.
After starting the year 5-0, the Knights incurred their third loss of the campaign Jan. 8 by falling 54-40 to North Buncombe.
Kirkland again led the charge, scoring 12 on the Blackhawks. Others in the mix were Nelms 11, Landon Eddings 7, Lambert 4, Wachacha 3, Jones 2 and Freeman 1.