Robbinsville – Admittedly, Monday’s opponent was a tough draw: Cherokee paid a visit to Graham County for the middle school Knights’ final home games of 2024.
Optimistic about a better outcome than Nov. 18’s road losses, Robbinsville found itself unable to keep pace in both the girls and boys games, as the pair of finely-tuned machines representing the Braves picked up respective 41-24 and 62-37 victories.
The Lady Knights (6-5) made a convincing threat early on, with Aaliyah Wolfe dropping the first basket of the game to give Robbinsville an early advantage. But from there, Cherokee replied with a 7-0 run and managed to maintain the minimum as a lead for the remainder. The hosts did cut things down considerably in the third, but the well-disciplined Lady Braves continued to prevent Robbinsville from even becoming a viable threat on the glass and dwindled any hope of a win for the Knights.
Zayleigh Chekelelee led Robbinsville with eight points, six rebounds and one assist. Wolfe finished with six points, eight rebounds and two assists, while the duo of Zachlan Chekelelee and Myah Winfrey each dropped four.
McKynlee Adams’ second-quarter basket rounded out the Knights’ scoreline.
Sadly, the Black Knights (5-6) fell behind quickly to the athletic Braves. Cherokee used a notable size difference to its betterment all evening, turning a 20-3 start into the 25-point differential at the buzzer.
Carsan Snider sank 10 points and mixed in four assists, four rebounds and three steals to his stat line. Brayden Allison had nine points, two rebounds, a steal and an assist, while the trio of David Guzman, Trevor Jenkins and Micah York each posted six to close out the book.
Eagles clipped
Hiwassee Dam – A road trip Dec. 12 turned profitable for Robbinsville, with the Lady Knights downing Hiwassee Dam 44-28 and the Black Knights prevailing 53-45.
Zayleigh Chekelelee put 16 points on the Lady Eagles, to once again pace the Robbinsville scoreline. Also contributing to the cause was Wolfe 9; Adams 6; Zachlan Chekelelee, Ella Nelms and Winfrey, with 4 each; and Brooke Cox 1.
Snider just barely outscored Jenkins to snag the Black Knights’ team lead, scoring 16 to Jenkins’ 15. Others joining the effort were Allison 10; Guzman 8; and York 4.