Sports

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.
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.