Boys’ home winning streak ends
Robbinsville – Inclement weather built a 12-day gap between games for the Robbinsville High basketball program. The Swain County Devils waited in the wings.
The Knights’ return to action went 3-for-4 in their favor, with the Robbinsville Black Knights suffering their first conference loss of the year in a 66-52 loss to the visitors. Falling to the Maroon Devils also ended a lengthy home winning streak for Robbinsville (10-3, 3-1), which had taken 23 in a row on its court since a Jan. 7, 2022 loss to Hayesville.
The Lady Knights fared much better in their return to play, capitalizing fully on Swain County (7-8, 1-3) only matching its first-quarter production of 11 points by the end of the fourth, piling on the goal in a 62-44 win.
Robbinsville (11-2, 2-2) was led to victory by a 15-point showing from Aubrie Wachacha. Other Lady Knights contributing to the cause were Bentley Riggins 12; Suri Watty 9; Claire Barlow and Liz Carpenter, 6 each; Anna Williams 5; Abby Wehr 4; Delaney Brooms 2; and Maleah Cox, Novie Dutcher and Memory Frapp, 1 apiece.
Swain County (12-5, 2-2) had pulled ahead 18-13 when the first quarter buzzer sounded, before taking full advantage of the sluggish period that followed for the Knights. Dane Knott’s long-range shot was the sole offense produced for Robbinsville in the second; the Devils put up 11 to pull away. A 15-8 third in favor of Swain built a lead that even a 28-point Black Knights’ fourth could not overcome.
Leading Robbinsville’s offense was an 18-point night from Bryce Adams. Also scoring was Knott 15; Kenyon Swimmer 8; Donovan Carpenter 5; Darion Ledbetter 4; and Nathanael Shope 2.
Junior varsity
Preliminary showdowns Tuesday were swept by Robbinsville, with the Lady Knights collecting a 31-22 nod and the Black Knights knocking off the Maroon Devils 44-28.
MyKayla McGuire had a breakout game for Robbinsville (4-1) in the girls win, topping the scorelist with 11. Tacking onto the outcome were Riggins 4; Cox and Williams, 3 apiece; and Dutcher, Jacquline Gayosso, Katie-Lyn Gross, Chasity Jones and Ella McGuire all dropping a basket each.
Already an offensive stalwart, Nathan Frederick flew past Swain County for a 30-point afternoon in the JV boys game. Also scoring for Robbinsville (5-1) was Isiac Collins 8; plus Tristan Blevins, Kasen Buchanan and Tucker Jones posting one bucket apiece.