Sports

Moments after the final buzzer sounded Saturday, JV Black Knights Xamuel Wachacha (3), Tucker Jones (5), Bam Nelms (1) and Eli Lambert (2) begin to celebrate Robbinsville’s Smoky Mountain Conference tournament-title victory. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Moments after the final buzzer sounded Saturday, JV Black Knights Xamuel Wachacha (3), Tucker Jones (5), Bam Nelms (1) and Eli Lambert (2) begin to celebrate Robbinsville’s Smoky Mountain Conference tournament-title victory. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

How sweet it is!

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Hayesville – A first-quarter lead slipped away and by the beginning of the fourth quarter, seemed out-of-reach. The JV Black Knights were not going to let their season end on such a sour note. Instead, Robbinsville (No.
Loxston Hooper, Skyler Anderson and Adair Panama (from left) each conquered their respective brackets during the individual state tournament, bringing home three more gold medals for the reputable Black Knights’ wrestling program. Photo courtesy of Brooke Haney/Robbinsville Wrestling

Loxston Hooper, Skyler Anderson and Adair Panama (from left) each conquered their respective brackets during the individual state tournament, bringing home three more gold medals for the reputable Black Knights’ wrestling program. Photo courtesy of Brooke Haney/Robbinsville Wrestling

Tenacious Trio

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Greensboro – The 31st, the 32nd and 33rd individual state wrestling champions in Robbinsville wrestling history had one thing on their minds when they jogged onto the floor of the First Horizon Coliseum: vindication. Each of them were visibly emotional when they got it.
Bentley Riggins stretches for a second-half layup in Saturday’s conference-tournament opener against Murphy. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Bentley Riggins stretches for a second-half layup in Saturday’s conference-tournament opener against Murphy. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Stunning openers

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 21, 2025
Junior varsity Lady Knight MyKayla McGuire cuts around a Cherokee defender and toward the paint late in Monday’s quarterfinal game with the Lady Braves.
Bryce Adams looks to outmaneuver Murphy’s Connor Golden during the first half of Tuesday’s Smoky Mountain Conference tournament semifinal. Adams became the all-time scoring leader for Robbinsville Black Knights basketball in the game. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Bryce Adams looks to outmaneuver Murphy’s Connor Golden during the first half of Tuesday’s Smoky Mountain Conference tournament semifinal. Adams became the all-time scoring leader for Robbinsville Black Knights basketball in the game. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

On the dance floor

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 21, 2025
Eli Lambert launches a free throw during Feb. 7’s JV game against Swain County. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star Hayesville – Friday’s Smoky Mountain Conference tournament finals will give Robbinsville a chance to win the season series with Andrews.  But so much more is at stake.
Chloe Adams, long jump. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Chloe Adams, long jump. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights trio compete at state meet

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 21, 2025
Winston-Salem – The final tune-up before outdoor track & field begins featured three of Robbinsville’s finest athletes.
Robbinsville wrestling’s seven state qualifiers stand proudly at the conclusion of the 1A Western Regional tournament Saturday. From left are Jonah Teesateskie, Loxston Hooper, Skyler Anderson, Lleyton Hooper, Adair Panama, Devin Hall and Kellen Ensley. Photo courtesy of Brooke Haney/Robbinsville Wrestling

Robbinsville wrestling’s seven state qualifiers stand proudly at the conclusion of the 1A Western Regional tournament Saturday. From left are Jonah Teesateskie, Loxston Hooper, Skyler Anderson, Lleyton Hooper, Adair Panama, Devin Hall and Kellen Ensley. Photo courtesy of Brooke Haney/Robbinsville Wrestling

Magnificent 7

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 21, 2025
Cherryville – It is a tradition that will never get old: Robbinsville wrestling will be well-represented at this year’s traditional state tournament.
Robbinsville heavyweight Jonah Teesateskie (left) locks horns with Polk County's Brady Carroll during the third round of the 1A state duals Feb. 5. Teesateskie was 1-of-7 Black Knights to qualify for the individual state tournament. Photo by Kensie Belk/The Graham Star

Robbinsville heavyweight Jonah Teesateskie (left) locks horns with Polk County's Brady Carroll during the third round of the 1A state duals Feb. 5. Teesateskie was 1-of-7 Black Knights to qualify for the individual state tournament. Photo by Kensie Belk/The Graham Star

Knights compete for 1A gold

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
This story will be updated Monday night with quick results from Robbinsville's journey through the 1A state individual tournament.
Under the hot pursuit of Swain County’s Miley Teav (11), Abby Wehr breaks up the floor during the second half of Friday’s win over the Lady Devils. Wehr led Robbinsville with 15 points in the victory. Photo by Kensie Belk/The Graham Star

Under the hot pursuit of Swain County’s Miley Teav (11), Abby Wehr breaks up the floor during the second half of Friday’s win over the Lady Devils. Wehr led Robbinsville with 15 points in the victory. Photo by Kensie Belk/The Graham Star

Knights vie for a bye

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Novie Dutcher sizes up a free throw during Friday’s JV girls win over Swain County.
Lucas Ford reviews a play with Tanner Hedden during Aug. 30’s game at Franklin. Ford’s rapport with the players had many of the Robbinsville faithful pulling for the Black Knight alum to be appointed as the new head football coach; Feb. 6, he was announced as Dee Walsh’s successor. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lucas Ford reviews a play with Tanner Hedden during Aug. 30’s game at Franklin. Ford’s rapport with the players had many of the Robbinsville faithful pulling for the Black Knight alum to be appointed as the new head football coach; Feb. 6, he was announced as Dee Walsh’s successor. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Built Ford tough

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Robbinsville – Less than 24 hours after being publicly named as the new head football coach and athletic director for Robbinsville High School, Lucas Ford scrolled through his phone in sheer amazement. “Look at this,” he said to a small crowd gathered around him.
The Smoky Mountain Conference title returned to the Black Knights on Tuesday, following a victory over Cherokee. Standing in back (from left) are Nathan Frederick, Roman Jones, Kenyon Swimmer, Quinn Jumper, Isiac Collins, head coach Jake Beasley, Dane Knott, Kasen Buchanan, Trey Lambert, Luke Lovin, Kyzik Teesateskie, Logan Callaway and manager Joshua Satterfield. Sitting in front are Darion Ledbetter (left) and Bryce Adams. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Smoky Mountain Conference title returned to the Black Knights on Tuesday, following a victory over Cherokee. Standing in back (from left) are Nathan Frederick, Roman Jones, Kenyon Swimmer, Quinn Jumper, Isiac Collins, head coach Jake Beasley, Dane Knott, Kasen Buchanan, Trey Lambert, Luke Lovin, Kyzik Teesateskie, Logan Callaway and manager Joshua Satterfield. Sitting in front are Darion Ledbetter (left) and Bryce Adams. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

‘They deserve it’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Robbinsville – For the second time in three seasons, the Black Knights have claimed bragging rights in the Smoky Mountain Conference. Tuesday’s 55-46 win over Cherokee wrapped up the regular-season championship for Robbinsville (17-5, 8-1), which has not lost a game since Jan. 8.