JV Black Knights cap season with tournament crown
Hayesville – A first-quarter lead slipped away and by the beginning of the fourth quarter, seemed out-of-reach.
The JV Black Knights were not going to let their season end on such a sour note.
Instead, Robbinsville (No. 1 seed, 17-3) bounced back Saturday with a quick six-point spurt to begin the final segment. Its Smoky Mountain Conference tournament-final opponent, Cherokee (No. 2), held steady for as long as possible, but Tucker Jones sank the go-ahead basket with just 38 seconds left to go.
One free throw for insurance from Eli Lambert and 38 seconds later, the Black Knights were tournament champions.
Prior to the comeback, Robbinsville led 17-16 at the end of the first.
The Braves took control in the second and until Jones’ victory-clinching shot late, maintained the advantage.
Bam Nelms led the Black Knights with 14 points in the season finale. Lambert was close behind with 12, while Xamuel Wachacha connected for nine. Both Jones and Elijah Kirkland hit six, and Landon Eddings had a second-quarter bucket to round out the scoreline.
The JV boys were the only Knights team to play on consecutive days in the tournament, as inclement weather caused the middle portion of the showcase to be rescheduled. Robbinsville battled Hayesville in the semifinals as its tournament debut Friday and pulled away from a sluggish first quarter to swat the Yellow Jackets, 48-35.
Lambert had top billing in the game, posting 13 to pace the Knights’ offense. Kirkland hit 12, while Nelms dropped 10.
Also scoring was Eddings 6, Wachacha 5 and Jones 2.