Sports

Avery Brown sizes up a putt April 24 at the conference tournament opener. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Avery Brown sizes up a putt April 24 at the conference tournament opener. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights fall late at regionals

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Huntersville – Coming off a solid practice round, Robbinsville was in second place with just six holes left to go at May 5's Western Regional meet.
Robbinsville's 4x800 boys relay team broke the school record at Friday's meet. From left are Xamuel Wachacha, Austin Bohn, Nathan Frederick and Colton McCoy. Photo courtesy of Heather Wachacha

Robbinsville's 4x800 boys relay team broke the school record at Friday's meet. From left are Xamuel Wachacha, Austin Bohn, Nathan Frederick and Colton McCoy. Photo courtesy of Heather Wachacha

8 headed to state

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 15, 2025
* State meet preview Columbus – Though no regional champions from Robbinsville were crowned at Friday's meet, the Black Knights stamped eight tickets to the state championship.
Naomi Taylor wrapped up her career with the Robbinsville Lady Knights in Friday’s second-round playoff loss to South Stokes. The Maryville College-commit homered at the plate and finished the year with a 1.53 ERA inside the circle. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Naomi Taylor wrapped up her career with the Robbinsville Lady Knights in Friday’s second-round playoff loss to South Stokes. The Maryville College-commit homered at the plate and finished the year with a 1.53 ERA inside the circle. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Sauras spoil season – again

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Robbinsville – South Stokes cannot reclassify to a 2A program quickly enough.
Senior Quinn Jumper finished with a .411 average in 2025, leading the Black Knights in that category. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Senior Quinn Jumper finished with a .411 average in 2025, leading the Black Knights in that category. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Diamond Knights shine in season finale

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Cherokee – Despite being left out of the playoffs this season, the Black Knights had plenty to hang their hats on after May 1's season finale.
The Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights repeated as Smoky Mountain Conference champions this season. All names are listed from left. Front row: Bella Ford, Mylee Webster, Aaliyah Wolfe, Lakelynn Drake, Makenna Stewart and Lakin Orr. Second row: Allie Phillips, Balee Odom, Ophelia Beasley, Bristol Odom and Bently Lambert. Third row: Ty Chekelelee, Haizleigh Driver, Ella Nelms, Natalee Myers and Myah Winfrey. Back row: Assistant coach Ivy Odom, manager Caislee Lane and head coach Lauren Silvers.

The Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights repeated as Smoky Mountain Conference champions this season. All names are listed from left. Front row: Bella Ford, Mylee Webster, Aaliyah Wolfe, Lakelynn Drake, Makenna Stewart and Lakin Orr. Second row: Allie Phillips, Balee Odom, Ophelia Beasley, Bristol Odom and Bently Lambert. Third row: Ty Chekelelee, Haizleigh Driver, Ella Nelms, Natalee Myers and Myah Winfrey. Back row: Assistant coach Ivy Odom, manager Caislee Lane and head coach Lauren Silvers.

Lady Knights back at the mountaintop

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Robbinsville – Last year's middle school softball team had seven players who are now competing in the varsity ranks. The 2024 squad was the first to win a divisional title for Robbinsville since 2017.
Sydney Adams was 1-of-4 Lady Knights to double in Tuesday’s 15-0, first-round playoff rout of Mitchell. Photos by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Sydney Adams was 1-of-4 Lady Knights to double in Tuesday’s 15-0, first-round playoff rout of Mitchell. Photos by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Mountaineers conquered

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights spent more time scoring runs in the bottom of the first Tuesday than the visitors did warming up for the game.
Lexie Williams, Sydney Adams and Anna Williams (from left) complete their outfield warm-ups in a unique manner prior to Tuesday's first-round playoff game against Mitchell. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Lexie Williams, Sydney Adams and Anna Williams (from left) complete their outfield warm-ups in a unique manner prior to Tuesday's first-round playoff game against Mitchell. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Lady Knights continue 2025 playoff journey

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights' hopes of a state championship will have to wait at least one more year. Hosting the South Stokes Sauras (No. 13 seed, 17-8) in the second round of the postseason Friday, Robbinsville (No.
Robbinsville senior Naomi Taylor signed to play with Maryville College on Monday. Seated with Naomi are father Bo (left) and mother Esther. Standing in back are grandparents Joyce and Bob Taylor. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Naomi Taylor signed to play with Maryville College on Monday. Seated with Naomi are father Bo (left) and mother Esther. Standing in back are grandparents Joyce and Bob Taylor. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Taylor-made decision

Kevin Hensley
Friday, May 2, 2025
Robbinsville – The softball career of Naomi Taylor will continue beyond high school. The ace of the Lady Knights' rotation signed Monday with Maryville (Tenn.) College, an NCAA Division III program connected directly to Robbinsville via U.S. 129.
Avery Webster had a multi-hit performance in Robbinsville’s 12-1 blowout victory over Cherokee on Tuesday. Photos by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Avery Webster had a multi-hit performance in Robbinsville’s 12-1 blowout victory over Cherokee on Tuesday. Photos by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Black Knights tee off against Braves

Kevin Hensley
Friday, May 2, 2025
Quinn Jumper snags a pop-up Monday against Swain County. Robbinsville – The Black Knights shook off a succession of conference losses in resounding fashion Tuesday, trouncing Cherokee in a five-inning, 12-1 affair on Senior Night.
Robbinsville head coach Billy Knight receives a customary bath Monday, after leading the Lady Knights to their 17th Smoky Mountain Conference title. Delivering the free shower were Loxley Burke (not visible), Anna Williams (4) and Kynadee Spencer (1). Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville head coach Billy Knight receives a customary bath Monday, after leading the Lady Knights to their 17th Smoky Mountain Conference title. Delivering the free shower were Loxley Burke (not visible), Anna Williams (4) and Kynadee Spencer (1). Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

And still ...

Kevin Hensley
Friday, May 2, 2025
Robbinsville – Until another contender steps up to the plate, Lady Knights softball will maintain its monopoly over the Smoky Mountain Conference. The program's 17th divisional title was clinched Monday, thanks to a 5-0 blanking of the visiting Swain County Lady Devils.