Bryson City – There’s no need for adjustment: the system is working just fine.
While their varsity counterparts are busy with success, Robbinsville Middle School’s Black Knights have pieced together a run of three-straight Smoky Mountain Conference titles. The latest came after a day-long tournament at Swain County High School on Dec. 21.
Robbinsville’s 246 team points were far more than enough to secure first place; Cherokee trailed in a distant second, at 188.
The Knights’ team score was padded immensly on the weight of seven, 1st-place finishes: Parker Carpenter (83 pounds), Avery Roach (90), Devin Burchfield (98), Ayden Conley (120), Cyrus Crowe (132), Braydon Lane (152) and Bryan Hernandez (250).
Claiming second in their brackets were Ethan Chekeleelee (126), Manny Romero (138), Ben Koeller (160) and Austin Angelo (170); third-place honors went to Grady Emmons (76), Jayce Turner (106), Jackson Lane (113) and Raiden Garrison (145).