Sports

Hatchery-raised trout are released into Wake County's Simpkins Pond on Dec. 18, 2024. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission began a weekly stocking schedule in Graham County this month, which will continue through June. Photo courtesy of Jonathon Gruenke/N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission

Hatchery-raised trout are released into Wake County's Simpkins Pond on Dec. 18, 2024. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission began a weekly stocking schedule in Graham County this month, which will continue through June. Photo courtesy of Jonathon Gruenke/N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission

Trout stocking underway

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Officials with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission have began the process of visiting popular fishing spots across Graham County, stocking locations full of hatchery-developed trout for the 2026 season.
With the rest of the Lady Knights waiting to greet her, Dreylee Webster (55) trots into home plate after hitting her first of two home runs April 9 against A.C. Reynolds. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

With the rest of the Lady Knights waiting to greet her, Dreylee Webster (55) trots into home plate after hitting her first of two home runs April 9 against A.C. Reynolds. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Attaway, Drey!

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Cullowhee – Just a few weeks after Western Carolina University re-named its softball complex after the program's founder, a high school team helped christen the field.The Robbinsville Lady Knights rolled onto campus April 9, playing as the away team in the annual neutral-site clash with the A.C.
Everett Taylor makes a running catch March 20 against Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Everett Taylor makes a running catch March 20 against Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights rout Braves – again

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Cherokee – At this juncture, members of the Braves have to be pointing fingers of blame and asking, "Who owes them money?"Following a 28-1 drubbing of their divisional foe April 7, Robbinsville (6-6, 6-4) made the return trip to Cherokee (1-11, 1-9) for the series finale Friday.
Luke Lovin improved to 3-1 for Robbinsville over the last week, picking up wins against Hiwassee Dam and Cherokee. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Luke Lovin improved to 3-1 for Robbinsville over the last week, picking up wins against Hiwassee Dam and Cherokee. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Level 28: unlocked

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Robbinsville – It was almost as if the Black Knights peered at Loudon Orr Memorial Field's scoreboard prior to beginning the bottom of the fourth Tuesday and said, "We can do better."  Everything was going Robbinsville's way at that point, but the hometown crew wasn't satisfied with a 15-0 lead.
Robbinsville senior Anna Williams had two doubles in Tuesday’s win over Cherokee. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville senior Anna Williams had two doubles in Tuesday’s win over Cherokee. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights remain perfect

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 9, 2026
With the season well past the midway point, it's time to pose a legitimate question: is there a team left on the road to a state championship that can derail the Robbinsville Lady Knights?

Freshman hurler carves up 18

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Ella Nelms waits to fire a pitch during Game 2 of March 20’s home doubleheader against Andrews. Robbinsville’s freshman hurler is averaging 10.1 strikeouts per game.
Benton Gibby blisters an RBI single during March 20’s game against Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Benton Gibby blisters an RBI single during March 20’s game against Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights trounce Eagles

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Robbinsville – There was only one inning that the visitors could keep the Black Knights out of the score column Tuesday.

8 Knights named All-Conference

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
At the conclusion of the 2025-26 basketball season, the annual All-Smoky Mountain Conference teams were released. For the Black Knights, Dane Knott and Luke Lovin were both named All-Conference. Kristian Bauzo, Nathan Frederick and Xamuel Wachacha each received honorable mentions.

Flyin' high

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Robbinsville – Across the span of eight innings and two games Friday, Andrews had three hits. The Lady Knights had 21.
The 2026 Robbinsville Black Knights. Names are listed from left in both rows. Kneeling in front: Jackson Lane, Ayden Farley, Xamuel Wachacha, Benton Gibby, Ayden Conley, Tegan Werner, Deacon Hyde and Joshua Satterfield. Standing: assistant coach Ethan Orr, head coach Thomas Menard, Zander Davis, Rylen Orr, Luke Lovin, Easton Shuler, Everett Taylor, Peyton Brooks, Evan Menard, and assistant coaches Adam Brooks and A.J. Conley. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The 2026 Robbinsville Black Knights. Names are listed from left in both rows. Kneeling in front: Jackson Lane, Ayden Farley, Xamuel Wachacha, Benton Gibby, Ayden Conley, Tegan Werner, Deacon Hyde and Joshua Satterfield. Standing: assistant coach Ethan Orr, head coach Thomas Menard, Zander Davis, Rylen Orr, Luke Lovin, Easton Shuler, Everett Taylor, Peyton Brooks, Evan Menard, and assistant coaches Adam Brooks and A.J. Conley. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville swept by Wildcats

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
In a pair of one-run heartbreakers, Robbinsville simply ran out of chances to execute when it needed to the most. The Black Knights hosted – then traveled to – Andrews for their latest, respective slate of baseball action Friday and Monday.