Sports

The Robbinsville Black Knights proudly display the 1A Western Regional Championship plaque Friday, after conquering the competition at Montreat College.

The Robbinsville Black Knights proudly display the 1A Western Regional Championship plaque Friday, after conquering the competition at Montreat College.

Black Knights capture regional championship

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Black Mountain – Robbinsville's boys track and field are on the cusp of sweeping the championship slate clean.With a resounding 179 team points, the Black Knights cruised to the 1A Western Regional title at Friday's meet, which was held at Montreat College.
Robbinsville's Peyton Brooks (27) celebrates with teammates Everett Taylor (4) and Rylen Orr after tagging out Murphy's Aayden Williams at the plate April 30, securing the Black Knights' first victory over the Bulldogs since 2019. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville's Peyton Brooks (27) celebrates with teammates Everett Taylor (4) and Rylen Orr after tagging out Murphy's Aayden Williams at the plate April 30, securing the Black Knights' first victory over the Bulldogs since 2019. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Knights begin playoff run

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Robbinsville – The Black Knights hosted their first playoff game since moving onto Loudon Orr Memorial Field on Tuesday, fanning the North Stokes Vikings 8-0.In just its second postseason appearance since 2011, Robbinsville (No. 6 seed, 10-9) dominated.
Kynadee Spencer winds up to deliver a pitch April 24 against Swain County. Spencer has anchored the Lady Knights' rotation for the last several weeks and picked up her fifth win of the season April 30 against Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Kynadee Spencer winds up to deliver a pitch April 24 against Swain County. Spencer has anchored the Lady Knights' rotation for the last several weeks and picked up her fifth win of the season April 30 against Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights clinch No. 1 seed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Robbinsville – It is only fitting that after such a successful season, the Lady Knights have once again been afforded the No. 1 seed in the 1A Western postseason bracket.
As Connor Hyde (22) looks on, Robbinsville's Kamden Driver (2) looks to turn the second leg of a double play during April 23's JV victory over Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

As Connor Hyde (22) looks on, Robbinsville's Kamden Driver (2) looks to turn the second leg of a double play during April 23's JV victory over Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

JV Knights wrap up season

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Bryson City – The final record might not indicate much success, but the junior varsity Black Knights made great strides during the 2026 season.Perhaps the highlight of the year was downing Smoky Mountain Conference rival Swain County in back-to-back road games.
Robbinsville's Nathan Frederick (left) and Colton McCoy were named the respective MVPs of track and field events at April 29's Smoky Mountain Conference championship meet. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville's Nathan Frederick (left) and Colton McCoy were named the respective MVPs of track and field events at April 29's Smoky Mountain Conference championship meet. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Black Knights win 1st divisional title since 2011

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Cherokee – The last time Robbinsville's boys track and field program won a conference title, some of the athletes on the roster had yet to be born.
Peyton Brooks earned his first win of the season April 23 against Copper Basin. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Peyton Brooks earned his first win of the season April 23 against Copper Basin. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Black Knights tame Cougars

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Robbinsville – Simply put, the Knights had a field day when Copper Basin came to town April 23.
Lady Knights sophomore Daphne Barlow was elated as she sprinted to the dugout after completing the first and second legs of a 6-3 triple play Friday against Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights sophomore Daphne Barlow was elated as she sprinted to the dugout after completing the first and second legs of a 6-3 triple play Friday against Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Queens reign again

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Robbinsville – Another year, another divisional championship for the Lady Knights.
Robbinsville freshman Ella Nelms (left) has not been content filling out a pitch-count chart over the last two weeks – but it's all the ace of the Lady Knights pitching staff is capable of, after being sidelined with an injury. Nelms is expected to return to action during Friday's season finale against Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville freshman Ella Nelms (left) has not been content filling out a pitch-count chart over the last two weeks – but it's all the ace of the Lady Knights pitching staff is capable of, after being sidelined with an injury. Nelms is expected to return to action during Friday's season finale against Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Can't rain on her parade

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Robbinsville – Ella Nelms seemingly had this season by the horns.She started 16 games. She won 16 of them. She surrendered two runs (one unearned) and coughed up just 17 hits while logging 81 innings of work inside the circle. Her ERA is an almost-unfathomable 0.
Jackson Lane fires a throw from right field during March 20's home game against Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Jackson Lane fires a throw from right field during March 20's home game against Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights reel in success

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Asheville – For the first time since the debut series of the season, the Robbinsville Black Knights have a winning record.
Daphne Barlow stands poised in the batters box during April 9's game against A.C. Reynolds. Barlow drove in Robbinsville's only runs during last week's shocking loss to Enka. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Daphne Barlow stands poised in the batters box during April 9's game against A.C. Reynolds. Barlow drove in Robbinsville's only runs during last week's shocking loss to Enka. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights stunned

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights posted a graphic on their Facebook page shortly after incurring their first loss of the year April 15.The final score of 12-2 was emblazoned across the screen, along with the words, "Remember this one. We will.