Despite the raucous atmosphere inside Andrews' Ken Solesbee Athletic Center, the Robbinsville Black Knights played Friday's divisional opener with nerves of steel.
It didn't hurt that senior wingman Dane Knott was up to his old tricks, either: hitting five long-range shots and finishing with 26 on the night to play a key role in Robbinsville's 71-55 win over the Wildcats.
The Black Knights never trailed at the outset of any segment, which was assisted immensely by 15 additional points from Nathan Frederick and 10 more from Luke Lovin. Kristian Bauzo and Luis Rosado each put up eight; while the tandem of Kellen Ensley and Kyzik Teesaeskie both contributed a bucket apiece.
Gabe Clark paced Andrews (7-4, 1-1) with 24 points in the game.
Robbinsville (6-2, 1-0) has only fell susceptible to one bit of kryptonite this season: the Smoky Mountain Mustangs. In Saturday's return showdown, the Mustangs (11-3) overcame a 19-15 Knights lead at the end of the first to prevail 75-61.
Bauzo handled lead-scoring duties, posting 17. Frederick had 14, while both Knott and Rosado recorded 11 each.
Rounding out the scoreline was Lovin 6 and Teesateskie 2.
Ace Pregner hit 27 to lead the Mustangs in the victory.
Robbinsville hosted Hiwassee Dam on Tuesday, handing the Eagles a definitive 66-32 loss.
Frederick dropped 18 to lead the Knights' offensive output. Also scoring was Knott 15; Bauzo 9; Teesateskie 8; Wachacha 7; Lovin 6; and Eli Lambert 3.
Jonah Hamby led Hiwassee Dam (6-5) with 16 points.
Junior varsity
Robbinsville (4-1) swept the recent junior varsity slate clean by defeating Andrews, Smoky Mountain and Hiwassee Dam.
Lambert scored 11 to pace the effort in a 43-37 win over the Wildcats. Landon Eddings had 10, while Cameron Allison tacked on nine.
Rounding out the scoreline was Bam Nelms 7 and Elijah Kirkland 6.
The Black Knights avenged their only loss thus far by upending the Mustangs, 48-46.
Lambert again led the way with a 12-point afternoon. Kirkland hit 11 and Allison added 10.
Others to score were Easton Shuler 8; Eddings 5; and Nelms 2.
Robbinsville cruised to a 58-18 conquering of Hiwassee Dam on Tuesday. Lambert was at the forefront once more, dropping 21 on the Eagles.
Also scoring was Kirkland 11; Eddings 9; Nelms 8; Khayton Swimmer 5; and both Cameron Allison and Kenai Wolfe, 2 apiece.