Robbinsville – The Knights had the right game plan for Friday’s tilt with Hayesville: neutralize Jake McTaggart.
The Yellow Jackets’ senior post was held to 17 points – thanks largely in part to added pressure from the Knights inside – but Hayesville’s senior point guard Kolby Ashe dropped 21 points through the net outside the defensive effort, thwarting Robbinsville’s work in a 51-44 loss to the Jackets.
The see-saw game started from the opening tip, with Hayesville (12-0, 4-0) edging ahead 13-12 over Robbinsville (4-8, 1-3) by the end of the first quarter. The Black Knights pulled ahead momentarily in the second, when Bryce Adams laced the net with a layup and Xander Wachacha hit a trey on the next possession.
However, the Jackets raced back to force a 26-26 deadlock at the break, before pulling ahead 36-31 by the end of the third.
Brock Adams finished the game with a team-leading 16 points for Robbinsville, while also recording six rebounds, three steals and two assists. Bryce Adams had nine points, five
rebounds, three steals and two assists, while Donovan Carpenter added seven points, three rebounds, two blocks and an assist.
Others Black Knights to score were Kamdyn Jordan and Xander Wachacha with 5 each, and Dasan Gross 2.
Clipped by Hawks
Weaverville – Robbinsville dictated the pace for much of the Jan. 5 road game at North Buncombe (6-6) – even leading 33-25 at the break – but ultimately faltered down the stretch, falling 75-67 to the Blackhawks.
North Buncombe’s Chad Clark shoulders much of the blame for Robbinsville’s demise. After only 10 points in the first half, Clark exploded for 23 in the third and fourth, helping the Blackhawks soar past a great second-half performance from Jordan, who finished the game with 14 points, seven rebounds, four steals and three assists.
Also scoring for Robbinsville was Brock Adams 13, Carpenter 12, Gross 10, Wachacha 9, Bryce Adams 5, and both C.J. Ornelas and Bo Rattler with 2 each.
Junior varsity
Robbinsville (1-6) earned its first junior-varsity nod of the season in dominant fashion, drubbing Hayesville 52-22 on Friday.
The effort was led by Logan Callaway, who had 18 points – including four 3-pointers – two rebounds and two steals in the victory. Quinn Jumper posted 15 points, seven rebounds, four steals and one assist, with Nathaniel Shope adding 10 points, nine boards and two steals to the final tally. Also scoring were Hugh Forbes 5, and both Isaiah Brown and Austin Crisp with a basket apiece.
The Knights could not get out of first gear at North Buncombe, dropping a 38-14 game to the Blackhawks.