Robbinsville – The chips simply did not fall in the Lady Knights’ favor.
In what evolved into a back-and-forth tussle, Robbinsville (3-2, 0-1) incurred its first loss of the season Friday, dropping a 47-46 heartbreaker to the North Buncombe Blackhawks.
North Buncombe (4-3) sprinted to a 9-2 lead in the opening segment, but the Knights’ surged back on the strength of a 15-2 run that spilled into the second quarter. The Blackhawks had pulled ahead with a 24-22 advantage by the break, before extending their lead to 37-30 by the outset of the fourth.
Robbinsville’s senior point guard Desta Trammell came to life in the final stanza, scoring 13 in the quarter – including the go-ahead lay-up at the 23-second mark. Trammell also drew a foul on the drive, but was unable to complete the 3-point play.
Blackhawks senior Devon Davis was able to drive what proved to be the final stake in the game’s fate moments later, drawing a foul of her own and sinking two from the charity stripe to pull North Buncombe back ahead. Robbinsville tried a deep inbound from behind the Blackhawks’ net, but it was intercepted by North Buncombe’s Brittany Parnell – who was quickly called for a travel, giving the Knights one final bit of hope.
Kensley Phillips heaved the inbound to Trammell, who turned for a 3 at the buzzer. Davis provided just enough of a hiccup on defense to throw off her attempt and the shot fell short of the target.
Trammell’s 27-point night was plenty to cinch the team lead in that category. Freshman Abby Wehr had six, with Aubrie Wachacha scoring five. Liz Carpenter, Katie-Lyn Gross, Kensley Phillips and Suri Watty each recorded two points, to round out the final tally.
Conference opener
Continuing its lengthy homestead, Robbinsville welcomed Cherokee in the Smoky Mountain Conference opener Tuesday.
The Lady Braves brought a ton of poise to Graham County, displaying an on-court discipline on both sides of the ball that the Knights had not seen thus far this season.
With everything clicking, Cherokee (5-3, 1-0) jumped ahead early and never let up, eventually building to a 78-59 win over Robbinsville.
Trammell again led the Lady Knights, with 29 points, seven assists, two rebounds and two steals against the Braves. Phillips sent 18 points through the net, while mixing in seven rebounds and a steal. Others scoring were Carpenter and Gross, 4 each; and both Wachacha and Wehr, 2 apiece.
Junior varsity
For the first time since picking up a 44-32 win over Hayesville in the first round of the conference tournament Feb. 19, 2019, Robbinsville’s junior-varsity girls found themselves in the win column at the conclusion of Friday’s opener against North Buncombe, picking up a 41-34 triumph.
Gross and Wehr each scored eight, leading Robbinsville’s effort. Also scoring was Anna Williams, 7; Olivia Lewis, 5; both Maleah Cox and Helen Ward, 4 each; Anna York, 3; and Kyla Jenkins, 2.
Tuesday against Cherokee, Robbinsville (1-2) fell in a 49-14 loss to the Braves. Ward had five points, with Williams recording four. Gross and York each dropped a basket, with Wehr mixing in a foul shot.