Boys title defense ends in tournament opener
Bryson City – Following the quarterfinals of the 2024-25 Smoky Mountain Conference middle school championship tournament, one of Robbinsville’s teams is right back in the same position it was last year, while another was dismissed early.
The Lady Knights (No. 3 seed, 8-6) easily disposed of Andrews (No. 6) in a 42-17 thrashing Saturday, while the Black Knights (No. 4, 5-9) saw their tournament-title defense end abruptly in a 51-40 upset to the hosting Maroon Devils (No. 5).
“Revamping a program is something very difficult to do, considering when losing 10 athletes out of 15 to high school from the year before and only keeping two athletes by the end of the season from the season before with any experience at the middle school level,” Black Knights head coach Jonathan Allison said.
“We added new faces and even a transfer that had never played organized basketball. This group of kids showed heart and dedication to a very competitive conference, plus a lot of growth on and off the court. I am thankful for another season here at Robbinsville and looking forward to another season.”
Robbinsville kept pace until the third quarter, tripping from a 17-15 halftime deficit into a 37-26 hole by the outset of the fourth.
Carsan Snider led the Black Knights with 11 points in the finale. Others to score for Robbinsville were David Guzman, Trevor Jenkins and Micah York, 6 each; Brayden Allison, 5; Dayton Weaver, 4; and Landon Silvers, 2.
Zayleigh Chekelelee emerged from the crowded Lady Knights scoreline with a Robbinsville-best eight points. Also scoring for the Knights was Aaliyah Wolfe with 7 points; Natalie Swimmer, 6; Zachlan Chekelelee, 5; McKynlee Adams and Ella Nelms, 4 apiece; and Brooke Cox, Haizleigh Driver, Lakin Orr and Myah Winfrey, 2 each.
The semifinals were set to be contested Monday, but were postponed due to inclement weather. Robbinsville faced the No. 2-seeded Murphy Lady Bulldogs after Wednesday’s press deadline.
Season-ending sting
Hayesville – The regular season ended on a sour note for both teams, with the Lady Knights dropping a 32-27 visit to Hayesville and the Black Knights falling 49-25 on Jan. 15.
Zayleigh Chekelelee again led Robbinsville’s girls with 15 points. Other Lady Knights to score were Cox and Winfrey, 5 each; and Adams, 2.
In the boys loss, Snider put up eight to lead Robbinsville. Allison and Guzman each dropped five, while Jenkins had four. Kayden Grindstaff hit a fourth-quarter bucket, and Dayton Weaver sank a foul shot, to round out the scoreline.