Robbinsville – After suffering through some heartbreakers and tough competition, the Lady Knights collected their first divisional victory of the season Tuesday.
Robbinsville made quick work of Rosman, opening up a 21-4 lead in the first quarter of the home appointment and refused to let up in a 61-15 taming of the Tigers.
The Knights led 42-10 at halftime and even kept Rosman (3-10, 0-5) off the scoreboard entirely during a 13-0 third quarter.
Abby Wehr led Robbinsville (7-6, 1-3) with 18 points in the win. Also scoring was Zayleigh Chekelelee 12; Zaelyn Phillips, Bentley Riggins and Aaliyah Wolfe, 8 each; Novie Dutcher 3; and Zachlan Chekelelee and Tiara Welch, 2 apiece.
Mashayla Ward had five points for the Lady Tigers.
Supremacy reigns
Cherokee – Battling the back-to-back 1A state champions Friday, the Lady Knights fell behind early and were unable to stifle the Lady Braves' offensive flurry.
Robbinsville was in a 19-0 hole before Welch snatched the ball away and made a quick deposit to get the Lady Knights on the board with 1:50 left in the first quarter. The quick pick did little to interrupt Cherokee's well-tuned attack, as the Braves went on to collect an 82-27 inside the Charles George Memorial Arena.
Zayleigh Chekelelee emerged with 11 points, four rebounds and a steal to lead Robbinsville. Phillips ended the night with nine points, 11 rebounds and one steal.
Wehr posted five points, eight rebounds and one steal, while Welch had two points, a pair of boards, an assist and a steal to round out the Lady Knights' efforts.
Cherokee (15-1, 6-0) was led offensively by a 21-point evening from Lilly Lossiah.
Bear necessities
Cashiers – The Lady Knights found themselves in a battle during a visit to The Plateau on Jan. 14, but ultimately knocked off Little Smoky Mountain Conference program Summit Charter, 54-47.
Though Robbinsville was never behind, the pressure was kept on by the hosting Lady Bears throughout the contest. The Knights held a 14-9 lead at the end of the first and went into the fourth ahead 42-30, before a spirited effort by Summit Charter to close the gap proved fruitless.
Phillips was at the forefront of Robbinsville's offense, hitting 14 in the triumph. Also scoring was Riggins 11; Zayleigh Chekelelee 10; Wehr 9; and Wolfe 7.
Olivia Reeves scored a team-high 15 points for Summit Charter (9-7).
Junior varsity
After a lengthy break, the Lady Knights delved back into conference play Friday at Cherokee. Robbinsville (4-2) dropped the game to the Lady Braves, 46-36.
Brooklyn Cox led the Knights with 12 points in the loss. Others to score were Emory Chekelelee and Haizleigh Driver, 9 each; Emery Beasley 5; and Bella Coats 1.
Tuesday, Robbinsville got back on course with a 42-21 win over Rosman.
Cox delivered over half of the Knights' offense, dumping 22 on the Lady Tigers.
Also scoring for Robbinsville was Driver 14; and Chekelelee, Coats and Caislee Lane, 2 each.