Undefeated Knights look to sweep season series today
Robbinsville Middle School’s boys basketball team has taken care of business in each of its assignments thus far.
The closest threat to a blemish came early in the campaign – the second game of the year, to be exact. Robbinsville prevailed 52-44 over Hiwassee Dam/Ranger on Nov. 9; before or after, no other opponent has threatened to record an upset.
As the regular season begins to wind down, the Eagles soar into Graham County today for a two-game appointment at 4 p.m. No doubt Robbinsville (8-0) has learned from the scare – its two latest triumphs were a 63-32 exorcism of Swain County on Nov. 30 and a 55-21 road shellacking of the Murphy Bulldogs on Monday – but if other teams have not grown throughout the season, something is wrong.
“I am excited and ready to go,” Knights head coach Jonathan Allison said.
And why should the coach watching his team work in seamless harmony not be? Robbinsville Elementary School’s gym might be set to rock off its recently-repaired foundation when the two teams meet today.
Riding a wave of momentum from a 19-4 first quarter, the Knights were unstoppable in their last triumph on their home court.
Cameron Allison’s 20-point afternoon led the effort; Bam Nelms posted 14, while Eli Lambert had nine.
Also etching a spot in the outcome was Xamuel Wachacha, 6; Braylen Blevins, Tim Grant, Carsan Snider and Zayvian Wachacha, 3 each; and both Khayton Swimmer and Micah York hit one free throw apiece.
“I am proud of our guys for our hustle and the all-around team effort,” coach Allison said. “We were four players short from the tip; sickness has really hit us hard this week.”
Robbinsville left little doubt about the final outcome in Monday’s rematch at Murphy, but coach Allison still noticed ways the team can improve.
“One of the worst games we have had,” Allison explained. “Our passes will improve and our turnover-to-assist ratio has to get better. As a whole, we were sloppy; we have to get better, as a unit and one beat.”
Cameron Allison had 14 points to lead the Knights’ offense. Elijah Kirkland posted 11, while Blevins hit a trio of trey’s to finish with nine on his scoreline.
Others scoring for Robbinsville were Lambert 6; Landon Eddings 5; Wachacha 4; Carsan Snider and Micah York, 3 each; and Nelms 2.
Lady Knights
Robbinsville (4-3) split its girls schedule within the last week, cruising past Swain County 39-12 but falling victim to free-throw inaccuracies in a 49-41 loss to Murphy.
The win over the Lady Devils saw Zayleigh Chekeleelee drop 13 on the visitors. Zaelyn Phillips and Cassidy Sudderth had 8 apiece, while both Bella Coats and Aaliyah Wolfe recorded 3 each. Brooklyn Cox and Zachlan Chekeleelee also had a basket in the game to tidy up the victory.
The final scoreline from Monday was not available at press time, but head coach Brittany Snider noted a low 13-of-40 (32.5 percent) success rate from the charity stripe as one glaring downfall for Robbinsville in the loss.