Black Knights get first playoff win since 2015
Hiwassee Dam – Robbinsville’s magical season will continue.
A back-and-forth outing in the first round of the state playoffs Tuesday at Hiwassee Dam tilted in favor of the Black Knights late, with Robbinsville knocking off the No. 8-seeded Eagles, 61-53.
“Down the stretch, it would’ve been very easy for us to falter,” noted Black Knights head coach Jake Beasley. “But the boys really bought in and played together, and I’m super proud of them.
“Our seniors weren’t quite ready to be through just yet.”
Robbinsville (No. 25 seed, 13-12) clung to a 30-29 lead at the break, but Hiwassee Dam (13-8) fought back and carried a 44-41 advantage into the fourth.
Despite the rabid atmosphere, the Knights continued to deny the Eagles on the glass. Combined with a strong final segment from both Kamdyn Jordan and Xander Wachacha, Robbinsville pulled back ahead with less than five minutes to go, and ultimately prevailed.
Jordan’s 23 points paced the Black Knights’ offense. Dasan Gross had 10, while Wachacha added nine.
Also scoring for Robbinsville were both Brock and Bryce Adams, with seven each; and Donovan Carpenter 5.
It was the Knights’ first playoff appearance since Feb. 21, 2017 and the win marked Robbinsville’s first postseason victory since defeating Nantahala 82-34 on Feb. 24, 2015.
Now, the Knights shift their focus to a lengthier trip for the second round tonight: a matchup with the Carolina International Comets (No. 9, 18-9) in Concord.
“If we play our game, we’re just as good as anybody and we’ll be tough to handle,” said Beasley. “With us being the 25-seed, it would be very easy to overlook us. I do think we’re a little bit better than we were seeded, but that’s okay; you play the cards you’re dealt.”