Sports

Anna Williams drives the ball March 12 at Owen. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Anna Williams drives the ball March 12 at Owen. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

War machines

Kevin Hensley
Saturday, March 22, 2025
Black Mountain – Entering March 12's home game with Robbinsville, the Owen War Lassies boasted an unblemished record.
Freshman hurler Rylen Orr posted a no-hitter and struck out 11 Copper Basin batters en route to Robbinsville’s first win of the year Monday. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Freshman hurler Rylen Orr posted a no-hitter and struck out 11 Copper Basin batters en route to Robbinsville’s first win of the year Monday. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Go big or go home

Kevin Hensley
Saturday, March 22, 2025
Copperhill, Tenn. – A 10-run inning from the visiting team has to leave a sour taste in your mouth. When it happens in the top of the first, it can also leave you feeling defeated. Robbinsville poured off the bus in Polk County, Tenn.
Lady Knight Ella Nelms has struck out a combined 18 batters in her first two starts of the 2025 season. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Lady Knight Ella Nelms has struck out a combined 18 batters in her first two starts of the 2025 season. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Middle school girls rally to beat Devils

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 14, 2025
Bryson City – Trailing Swain County 5-3 at the dawn of the seventh Friday, Robbinsville (2-0) manufactured a four-run rally to pull ahead of the hosts and cement a season sweep over the stunned Lady Devils by picking up a 7-5 road victory.
Avery Webster makes a running catch in right field Monday against Rosman. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Avery Webster makes a running catch in right field Monday against Rosman. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Black Knights drop slugfests

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 14, 2025
Robbinsville – Even with 20 combined runs in their last two games, the Black Knights are still on a quest for win No. 1 this season.
Dreylee Webster drives the ball during Friday’s loss to Enka. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Dreylee Webster drives the ball during Friday’s loss to Enka. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Lady Knights split 3A slate

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 14, 2025
Webster – Fresh off the losing end of a pitching duel, the Lady Knights took out their frustrations in a three-inning road game Monday. Carrying a 3-2 lead as the game went into the top of the third, Robbinsville took off the kiddie gloves and unloaded 14 runs on Smoky Mountain.

Middle school splits openers

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Robbinsville – The next generation of varsity stars began their baseball and softball seasons by hosting Swain County on Tuesday. The Black Knights fell in a 15-10 slugfest on Loudon Orr Memorial Field, while the Lady Knights fanned the Lady Devils 10-0 at P & J Field.
Rylen Orr was named the Opening Day starter for the Robbinsville Black Knights in Feb. 27’s season debut at Towns County, Ga. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Rylen Orr was named the Opening Day starter for the Robbinsville Black Knights in Feb. 27’s season debut at Towns County, Ga. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights begin season with tough losses

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Benton Gibby fires the ball from the warning track during Monday’s home opener against Towns County. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star Hiawassee, Ga.
Naomi Taylor delivers a pitch during Tuesday’s season opener against Polk County. The senior hurler finished the game with 10 strikeouts. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Naomi Taylor delivers a pitch during Tuesday’s season opener against Polk County. The senior hurler finished the game with 10 strikeouts. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights zing Wolverines in season debut

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Robbinsville – Strong hitting combined with strong pitching to create a resounding season opener for Robbinsville softball Tuesday. Hosting the previously-undefeated Polk County Lady Wolverines, the Lady Knights delivered a quick dose of reality to the visitors with a four-run first inning.
Lady Knights freshman Zaelyn Phillips evades Murphy’s Cayla Geer for a lay-up attempt during Feb. 15’s conference-tournament quarterfinal. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights freshman Zaelyn Phillips evades Murphy’s Cayla Geer for a lay-up attempt during Feb. 15’s conference-tournament quarterfinal. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights eliminated by Union Academy

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Monroe – After three quarters of tightly-knit basketball, Robbinsville’s varsity girls were unable to suppress Union Academy’s main weapon any longer. Only trailing 40-36 at the dawn of the fourth, senior guard Ranon Suttle scored 11 of the Lady Cardinals’ 22 points in the final segment.
Robbinsville senior Roman Jones tries to shirk a Bradford Prep defender while charging toward the basket during Tuesday’s first-round playoff game. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville senior Roman Jones tries to shirk a Bradford Prep defender while charging toward the basket during Tuesday’s first-round playoff game. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Black Knights fall to Bradford Prep Bears

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Bryce Adams pushes a shot over the defense of Andrews’ Ty Clark and Kegan Ellis in the second half of Saturday’s conference-tournament finale. Adams ended his basketball tenure with the Knights as the program’s all-time leading scorer. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.