Murphy – There was little doubt that Feb. 18's semifinal match-up would be a doozy.
The first team to hand the Black Knights a conference loss this season was Cherokee. Even though Robbinsville split the series with a Senior Night victory Feb. 9, Robbinsville entered the divisional rubber match with the full expectation of enduring a 32-minute barnburner.
A raucous game from the opening tip, the showdown delivered – just not in the Knights' favor: Robbinsville (No. 2 seed, 20-5) was upended by the Braves (No. 3, 18-7) in a 72-68 classic at Murphy High School.
Luke Lovin went nuts on Cherokee, as the senior point guard dropped 27 on the Braves. The rest of the scoring breakdown was simple enough: Kristian Bauzo, Dane Knott and Kyzik Teesateskie each posted 13, while Nathan Frederick was limited to one basket.
Samuel Hernandez shined for Cherokee, hitting 32 in the victory.
The Knights began the tournament by disposing of Rosman (No. 7, 2-20) on Feb. 16, 60-36.
Both Frederick and Knott each had 14 in the victory. Also scoring were Teesateskie 11; Lovin 8; Xamuel Wachacha 6; Bauzo 5; and Kasen Buchanan 2.
Drake Glenn led the Tigers with 14.
Seeding for the playoffs will take place Saturday and the first round will be held Tuesday. Follow The Graham Star on Facebook – as well as @KevinHensleyCNI on X – for updates on the Black Knights' postseason fate.
Dethroned
Robbinsville experienced another misfortune to conclude the regular season, falling 68-52 in the highly-anticipated Smoky Mountain Conference title game Feb. 11 to Murphy (20-3).
Knott finished the game with 23 points, five rebounds, four steals, two blocks and an assist. Wachacha logged 10 points, four rebounds, two steals and an assist, while both Frederick and Lovin hit six apiece.
Closing out the scoreline were Teesateskie 3 and Bauzo 2.
Abram Twiggs paced the Bulldogs with 26 in the victory.
The Black Knights also paid a visit to Transylvania County on Feb. 11, disposing of Rosman 66-27.
Knott scored 16 in the triumph, while Lovin connected for 15. Also scoring for Robbinsville were Frederick 9; Dane Daniels 7; Elijah Kirkland 6; Eli Lambert 4; Josh Satterfield 3; and both Kellen Ensley and Wachacha, 2 each.
Derick Fried hit 11 to lead the Tigers.
Junior varsity
The Black Knights continue to cultivate their next dominate group, as Robbinsville (18-1) earned the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament after going 12-0 in the league this year.
A 66-8 demolition of Rosman and a 63-29 downing of Murphy helped close out the regular season.
Elijah Kirkland led Robbinsville with 16 points against the Tigers. Also scoring were Eli Lambert 15; Cameron Allison 13; Landon Eddings, Trevor Jenkins and Kenai Wolfe, 6 each; and Bam Nelms 4.
At Murphy, Allison casually exploded for 24 points. Others to score were Lambert 19; Eddings 9; Kirkland 6; and Nelms 5.
Robbinsville again disposed of Murphy (No. 4 seed) in the tournament semifinals Feb. 18, 58-43.
Lambert connected for 21 to lead the Black Knights. Also scoring was Allison 12; Nelms 9; and both Eddings and Kirkland, 8 each.
Robbinsville will compete for the JV boys tournament championship at 8 p.m., tonight at Murphy High School. Live scoring updates will be provided on The Star's Facebook, as well as via @KevinHensleyCNI on X.