Black Knights wrap up conference opener
Robbinsville – Despite trailing after one quarter of Friday's conference opener, the Black Knights refused to roll over and play dead.
They left that to the visiting Murphy Bulldogs.
Robbinsville surged back from the deficit to take a lead before halftime and maintained the advantage for the remainder of the game, clinching its divisional opener 70-51.
A hot period from Luke Lovin sparked the Black Knights in the second, as the junior dropped two 3's and finished the segment with 12 points. In turn, Robbinsville (5-2, 1-0) opened up a 29-20 lead that Murphy (0-1, 0-1) managed to narrow down to 30-26 before intermission.
Seniors Bryce Adams and Darion Ledbetter combined efforts in the second half to make sure the Bulldogs were kept on a leash, however – putting up 24 of the Knights' 40 points in the third and fourth. Ledbetter finished the game with a team-high 22.
Also scoring was Dane Knott 13; Adams and Lovin, 12 each; Roman Jones and Nathan Frederick, 4 each; Quinn Jumper 2; and Kasen Buchanan 1.
1-1 on the road
Everyone joined the fun during Monday's dismantling of Hiwassee Dam (6-2), as the Black Knights went from a slim 34-33 halftime lead to outpace the Eagles and secure a 79-51 victory.
Knott drained six from beyond the arc, finishing with a Robbinsville-best 22 points. Others adding to the final tally were Ledbetter 18; Frederick 12; Adams 8; Isiac Collins 6; Jones and Lovin, 4 apiece; Jumper 3; and Kyzik Teesateskie 2.
The Black Knights suffered their first conference setback Tuesday, dropping a 51-48 trip to Andrews (4-3, 1-1). Individual scorers were not available by the Star's Wednesday press deadline.
Junior varsity
Robbinsville's JV boys remain the only undefeated team in the program, as the Black Knights improved to 5-0 during the last week.
The Murphy Bulldogs succumbed to a 59-26 defeat. Eli Lambert put up 18 to lead the Knights, while both Landon Eddings and Xamuel Wachacha each scored 10. Also connecting for points was Elijah Kirkland and Bam Nelms, 8 apiece; and Tucker Jones 5.
Another lopsided victory followed Monday, with Robbinsville defeating Hiwassee Dam 72-43. Nelms unleashed 25 points to pace the Black Knights. Others to score were Wachacha 10; Eddings 9; Jones 8; Kirkland 6; Slade Freeman and Lambert, 4 each; and both Elliott Beasley and Khayton Swimmer, 3 apiece.
The run of sizable wins ended Tuesday at Andrews, but the Knights still prevailed 41-33. Wachacha finished with 14 points to lead Robbinsville, while Kirkland posted 12.
Rounding out the effort was Nelms 8; Freeman 4; and Lambert 3.