Black Knights suffer 1st loss of season
Robbinsville – Enjoying all the comforts of home, the Lady Knights will pause for the Christmas break with their first positive win/loss record since starting last season 4-0.
A 64-20 rout of Nantahala (1-10) on Dec. 18 and a hard-earned 51-46 victory over Smoky Mountain (5-5) on Monday have sent Robbinsville (3-2) into a 10-day intermission full of smiles.
The Lady Knights jumped to an early 24-4 lead in the first quarter of the win over the Lady Hawks, which was led by nine points from Bentley Riggins. Also scoring was MyKayla McGuire and Zaelyn Phillips, 8 each; Abby Wehr 7; Zachlan Chekelelee and Novie Dutcher, 6 each; Zayleigh Chekelelee 5; Ella McGuire, Cassidy Sudderth and Aaliyah Wolfe, 4 apiece; Brooklyn Cox 3; and Emery Beasley 2.
Robbinsville staged a comeback bid to buck the Lady Mustangs on Tuesday. Down 28-24 at halftime, the Knights limited Smoky Mountain to just six points in the third quarter to pull ahead 36-34 and held off a late threat to collect the win.
Zachlan Chekelelee's 12-point evening led the Lady Knights. Others to score were Zayleigh Chekelelee 10; Phillips, Riggins and Wehr, 8 each; Wolfe 3; and Dutcher 2.
The only blemish of the week came Friday, in a 46-45 loss to Highlands (6-3). Tied 8-8 after the first quarter, the game tilted in favor of the visitors when the Lady Highlanders went on an 11-0 run to begin the second. Riggins' lay-up with 2:02 left before the break finally ended the run.
Robbinsville clawed its way back into the game during the third, but a trey from A.E. Woods with five seconds remaining in the segment gave Highlands a 36-30 advantage. The Knights pulled ahead 40-39 in the fourth, thanks to consecutive 3's from Novie Dutcher and a pair of free throws from Phillips.
But Highlands persevered and with 40 seconds remaining, Charlotte Westendorf hit what proved to be the game-winning bucket for the Lady Highlanders.
Zayleigh Chekelelee paced the Knights with 11 points. Also scoring was Phillips 9; Dutcher and Wolfe, 8 each; Riggins 4; Zachlan Chekelelee 3; and Wehr 2.
Black Knights
A hot start to the varsity boys basketball season was cooled Monday night.
In the finale of a four-game set against Smoky Mountain (9-1), the Black Knights’ offense fell behind 17-4 in the second quarter and was unable to catch up during the second half, resulting a 63-54 loss to the Mustangs.
Kristian Bauzo hit 17 to lead Robbinsville (4-1) in the loss. Luis Rosado posted 16, while Dane Knott scored 10.
Rounding out the scoreline was Luke Lovin 9 and Kellen Ensley 2.
The defeat came after the Black Knights trounced a pair of Little Smoky Mountain Conference programs at home last week. Nantahala (5-8) fell to the wayside, 72-35 on Dec. 18; before Highlands (1-8) experienced a soul-crushing 82-47 loss Friday.
Knott connected for seven 3’s against the Hawks, ultimately finishing with a team-high 28 points. Also scoring for Robbinsville was Rosado 14; Nathan Frederick 12; Bauzo 5; Xamuel Wachacha 4; Elliott Beasley, Kasen Buchanan, Eli Lambert and Lovin, 2 each; and Ensley 1.
Friday’s lopsided outcome was led by Rosado’s 19 points. Others to score were Frederick 16; Knott 15; Lovin 10; Elijah Kirkland 8; Lambert 7; Bauzo, Ensley and Bam Nelms, 2 apiece; and Wachacha 1.
Junior varsity
Robbinsville’s boys began their JV season 1-1, dropping Highlands 69-33 before falling 43-35 to Smoky Mountain.
Lambert and Nelms finished the game tied for the team lead in points, with each contributing 16 to the final outcome. Also scoring for Robbinsville was Landon Eddings 12; Kirkland 11; Cameron Allison 8; Trevor Jenkins and Easton Shuler, 3 apiece.
Allison put up a Knights-best 14 points Monday. Others to score were Kirkland 9; Lambert 7; Eddings 4; and Nelms 1.
The up-and-coming Lady Knights finally made their season debut Monday, besting Smoky Mountain 38-31.
Sudderth lit up the scoreboard by scoring 21 for Robbinsville. Others to score for the Knights were Brooklyn Cox 15 and Haizleigh Driver 2.