Knights collect wins in Christmas tournament
Sylva – One of the fun variables with a Christmas tournament is that you often play teams you are unfamiliar with.
Both Veritas Christian Academy and Brevard had to learn a lesson many programs in Western North Carolina have already fell victim to: Robbinsville simply does not quit.
The Black Knights shook off their first loss of the year – a 71-65 nod in favor of the hosting Smoky Mountain Mustangs, on Dec. 28 – in proper fashion: back-to-back wins against Veritas and the Blue Devils, to close out Robbinsville’s leg of the Smoky Mountain Christmas Invitational in Sylva.
“I think the loss really woke us up,” said Knights head coach Jake Beasley. “It made us realize that we have to play every single game; we can’t just show up and expect to win, just because we beat them the first time. Even the kids admitted that. You’ve got to have the mental mindset of being ready to go, every time.”
Four of Robbinsville’s wins this season have came in overtime – including a six-period triumph over Cherokee on Dec. 13 – so it was only appropriate that the Knights’ found their way into the win column by prevailing 65-61 in free basketball against Veritas Christian Academy (8-3) on Dec. 28.
A sluggish first quarter was eventually conquered 9-7 by Robbinsville (10-1, 4-0), as both teams were in a feeling-out phase and failed to show a lot of aggression on the glass. Not satisfied with the first stanza, the Warriors fired off a 7-0 run just before halftime, which pulled Veritas ahead 26-21 at the break.
Producing some late-quarter heroics of his own, Brock Adams pulled the game back to a clean slate with consecutive transition buckets in the final 20 seconds of the third. The latter came after a quick Xander Wachacha steal and assist, making the score 41-41.
Veritas leaned heavily on outside shooting throughout the tussle, landing six from outside across the game to keep pace with Robbinsville’s offense. The Warriors clung to a late 57-55 lead, but Donovan Carpenter forced the extra session with an inside floater at the 6-second mark of regulation.
The Knights then did what they have done in overtime: promptly score baskets to gain an advantage, then hold the lead until fouls are necessary for the opponent to stay alive. Veritas’ shooting also dried up down the stretch to aid Robbinsville’s effort.
Carpenter’s 17-point afternoon led the Knights’ offense.
Brock Adams posted 14, with Bo Rattler and Wachacha recording nine each.
Also scoring for Robbinsville was Bryce Adams, 8; Quinn Jumper, 5; and Nathanael Shope, 1.
A 56-55, Dec. 29 win over Brevard (8-4) was no easier. In another exhibit of Robbinsville’s modus operandi this season, the Black Knights scorched 20 through the net in the first quarter, but only posted eight more before going to the locker room.
In response, the Blue Devils erased a 7-point deficit after the opening period and launched a 21-point campaign in the second, padded by back-to-back trey’s from Lawson Powell – which capped a 10-0 Brevard sprint to begin the segment.
A Baker Buchanan 3 at the 10-second mark of the third pushed the Devils back ahead of the surging Robbinsville, which outpaced Brevard 15-10 in the period.
The Knights held all the cards in the closing seconds, thanks to a pair of Brock Adams’ foul shots. Buchanan connected for a basket with 15 seconds to go and Brevard later benefitted from a throw-in near its goal. But the ensuing chaos eventually saw the basketball end up in Carpenter’s clutches, as he sprinted away from the jostle with the game-winning steal.
Wachacha had a 17-point evening of his own to lead Robbinsville. Carpenter finished with 14 on his resume, while Rattler again posted nine.
Also scoring for the Knights were Brock Adams, 8; Bryce Adams, 6; and Jumper, 2.
Divisional perfection
Hayesville – Robbinsville continued its hot tear through the conference slate, knocking off Hayesville – the defending 1A state champions – Tuesday, 58-46.
The Knights held a 22-13 lead in the second quarter, but Hayesville (6-5, 2-2) started cooking and rattled off seven more in the final three minutes of the half. Robbinsville fell silent on offense, but exploded with an 18-7 split in the third segment. The Jackets only threatened once more, a 3-pointer from Ethan Hooper that cut the deficit to 46-43 in the fourth.
“Hayesville is a well-disciplined, well-coached team,” Beasley noted. “I’m taking nothing away from them, but our kids have an extremely-good amount of chemistry right now. They play for each other. They lay it on the line for each other. They’re brothers. We break it down every day on ‘family’ and that’s what we are, no question. I think that’s what propelled down the stretch; we kept our composure and stayed together.
“When you can win at Hayesville, you’ve done something. You’ve earned it.”
Robbinsville’s win over Hayesville was the Yellow Jackets’ first home loss since Feb. 11, 2020, a 66-58 defeat at the hands of Cherokee.
Wachacha again led the Knights, this time with a 15-point evening. Bryce Adams had a stout night – 14 points and 18 boards – with Carpenter putting 13 through the net.
Others scoring for Robbinsville was Jumper, 8; Brock Adams, 6; and Rattler, 2.
Junior varsity
Robbinsville (3-4) started the 2023 portion of its junior-varsity schedule on the right side of a 44-42 win Tuesday at Hayesville.
Luke Lovin’s 16 points lit up the scoreboard for the Black Knights. Dane Knott dropped 15, while Kyzik Teesateskie added eight. Three points from Isaiah Brown and a fourth-quarter Isiac Collins bucket filled out the scoreline.