Andrews – The hopes of adding another year to the championship banners inside the Robbinsville Elementary School gymnasium will have to wait at least one more season.
Robbinsville Middle School's basketball teams recently ventured beyond its home court to participate in the 2025-26 Smoky Mountain Conference championship tournament, which was held inside Andrews High School's Ken Solesbee Athletic Center. The Black Knights advanced to the semifinals of the dance, while the Lady Knights were jousted in the opening round.
Black Knights
Robbinsville (No. 3, 12-4) toppled Swain County (No. 6) in the boys' quarterfinals Jan. 10, 63-36.
A tied first quarter was broken up in the final heartbeats of the segment, when center Micah York cleaned up the trash to push the Knights ahead 14-12. Early in the second, tensions boiled over when players collided near mid-court while scrambling for a loose ball. No injuries occurred, but no fouls were called – which drew the vocal ire of the Maroon Devil fanbase.
When the scene finally calmed down, Swain County's head coach and a fan were ejected from the facility. Rather than igniting the players on the floor, the fire seemed extinguished from the Devils – who only turned in three points in the period. Robbinsville gladly pulled away with the advantage, building to a 34-15 lead and continuing to rack up an insurmountable nod in the second half.
Carsan Snider paced the Black Knights with 23 points in the victory. Also scoring for Robbinsville was Brayden Allison 14, York 12; Canyon Gross, 4; David Guzman 3; Kamden Driver, Mekhi Dominguez and Mason Walkingstick, 2 each; and Elijah Allison, 1.
Cade Sweet scored 13 to lead Swain County.
Robbinsville's quest for a title ended during its next outing. The Knights were simply unable to get out of first gear in Jan. 12's semifinal clash against the No. 2-seeded Hayesville Yellow Jackets, falling 44-25 to the eventual tournament runners-up.
The Jackets opened a 7-0 lead in the first quarter before Robbinsville dented the scoreboard. Outside of an aggressive inside presence, Hayesville hit desperation 3's at both the first- and second-period buzzer to maintain sustained momentum, with attempted responses from the Black Knights unable to find the inside of the net – no matter the point of origin.
Robbinsville was held scoreless in the third stanza and remained in a drought until Snider drained a trey with 1:30 left in the ballgame. With the outcome already determined, both clubs subbed in their future stars to run out the clock.
York led the Knights with 10 points in the loss. Others to score for Robbinsville were Brayden Allison and Snider, 4 each; Guzman 3; and Elijah Allison and Dominguez, 2 apiece.
"Winning is fun and losing is a learning lesson, but the growth as young men on and off the floor is our greatest achievement," said Black Knights head coach Jonathan Allison. "This year's journey was great. It was fun, but challenging at the same time. I would like to give a huge shoutout to my assistant coaches, Corey Snider and Cody Driver. They were great all season. Thank you to (Lady Knights head) coach Brittany Snider, for your dedication to the girls program and keeping the bus trips under control.
"I also want to wish all the eighth-grade guys the best. I am excited to watch them compete at the next level."
Lady Knights
A second-quarter lead slipped away from Robbinsville (No. 5, 6-9) in Jan. 10's quarterfinal game against Murphy (No. 4), as the Lady Knights saw their season end after incurring a 41-22 defeat from the Lady Bulldogs.
Though active on the glass, Robbinsville struggled to hit baskets in the first quarter.
Murphy only led 7-6 at the end of the first quarter, however and the Knights quickly surged ahead 10-7 in the second. The Bulldogs only carried a 16-13 nod into the locker room after completing a 3-point play, shortly before the halftime buzzer.
Robbinsville's offensive struggles continued in the second half, while Murphy came to life to pull away with the victory.
Lakin Orr finished the game with eight points, four rebounds and two steals to lead the Knights. McKynlee Adams recorded six points, seven rebounds and an assist; while Natalie Swimmer also had six points, but mixed in three rebounds and two steals.
Mercy Nelms had two points and a pair of rebounds, to round out Robbinsville's season.
"This is a great group of young ladies," said Lady Knights head coach Brittany Snider. "They work hard on- and off-the-court. I am very blessed to have been a small part of their journey and look forward to seeing all of their accomplishments in life."