On cusp of perfection

Robbinsville Middle boys 12-0 at holiday pause

Elijah Kirkland seemingly reaches into the lights – and over the plea of Andrews’ Tanner Postell – for two of his Black Knights-best 15 points in Dec. 14’s home win over the Wildcats. Photo courtesy of Jozlyn Garland/Contributing Photographer

Robbinsville’s Bella Coats storms past the corner defense of Andrews’ Juliet Holloway on Dec. 14. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Martins Creek – Things are pretty well in the bag at this juncture for the middle school Black Knights.

Robbinsville (12-0) has already clinched the No. 1 seed in the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament, but still needs to get by Hayesville and Swain County to achieve an unhampered 14-0 regular season.

The Black Knights will have to wait until 2024 to both extinguish the Yellow Jackets and exorcise the Maroon Devils; however, Robbinsville most recently completed the season sweeps of Andrews and Martins Creek, firing off a 55-26 triumph over the Wildcats on Dec. 14 and a 48-19 drubbing of the Hornets in a boys-only road game Monday.

A well-rounded offense has driven the Knights most of the way this year; Elijah Kirkland led the Andrews rout with 15 points for Robbinsville. Cameron Allison posted 12; Bam Nelms finished the game with 8.

Others in the mix were Eli Lambert 7; Landen Eddings 6; Carsan Snider 3; and both Braylen Blevins and Micah York, 2 apiece.

Robbinsville’s starters experienced very little court time at Martins Creek, which gave a chance for the depth chart to flex its muscle. Peyton Weaver ultimately led the Black Knights with 8 points. Truett Burchfield had 7, while Snider posted 6.

The crowded scoreline also included Zayvian Wachacha 5; Peyton Brooks and Eddings, 4 each; Klayton Swimmer and Kenai Wolfe, 3 apiece; and the quartet of Allison, Kirkland, Lambert and Nelms each made a bucket.

Lady Knights

The only girls game of the week came against Andrews on Dec. 14.

But down their starting point guard, Robbinsville (4-6) struggled to generate offense in the rematch from a thrilling buzzer-beating win over the Wildcats on Nov. 16, with Andrews going on an 8-0 run in the first quarter in response to Zaelyn Phillips’ basket off the opening tip.

The Lady Wildcats were relentless in their mission for revenge and went on to split the season slate with the Lady Knights, 33-11.

Phillips finished with 4 points; Zachlan Chekeleelee, Ella Nelms and Cassidy Sudderth each scored 2; and Daphne Barlow made a free throw.

Robbinsville