Sports

Robbinsville’s Aaliyah Wolfe keeps a watchful eye on a Swain County player during Nov. 4’s season opener.

Robbinsville’s Aaliyah Wolfe keeps a watchful eye on a Swain County player during Nov. 4’s season opener.

Middle school Lady Knights back in win column

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 21, 2024
The Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights shook off back-to-back losses Nov. 14, upending the visiting Hiwassee Dam/Ranger Lady Eagles 49-35.  Robbinsville (2-3) ran away with the game by opening up a 24-6 lead at the outset of the second quarter.
Junior fullback Isiac Collins (7) decisively denies Thomasville’s Elijah McNeair with a stiff-arm during Friday’s first-round playoff win over the Bulldogs. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Junior fullback Isiac Collins (7) decisively denies Thomasville’s Elijah McNeair with a stiff-arm during Friday’s first-round playoff win over the Bulldogs. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

No bones about it

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 21, 2024
The box score from Nov. 15, 2024's game between Thomasville and Robbinsville. Robbinsville – It took until the third quarter, but the Black Knights showed a familiar playoff swagger Friday night.
Robbinsville Middle School’s Carsan Snider cuts toward the paint during Nov. 4’s season opener against Swain.

Robbinsville Middle School’s Carsan Snider cuts toward the paint during Nov. 4’s season opener against Swain.

Smoky Mountain rain

Kevin Hensley
Monday, November 18, 2024
Sylva – For the first time in recent memory, Robbinsville met Smoky Mountain for middle school basketball action.
Members of the Robbinsville Black Knights Band pose with the hardware collected at Nov. 2’s Land of the Sky Marching Band Festival, which was held at Enka High School. All names are listed from left in each row. Front row: Rosie Orr, Myley Hyde and Sarai Cervantes. Second row: Jaden Boyle, Sharea Kirkman, Melissa Drouin and Emily Boyle. Back row: J.T. Hyde, Evan Hood, Dreydon Conley, Murphy Shanahan and Wade Rogers. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville High School Band

Members of the Robbinsville Black Knights Band pose with the hardware collected at Nov. 2’s Land of the Sky Marching Band Festival, which was held at Enka High School. All names are listed from left in each row. Front row: Rosie Orr, Myley Hyde and Sarai Cervantes. Second row: Jaden Boyle, Sharea Kirkman, Melissa Drouin and Emily Boyle. Back row: J.T. Hyde, Evan Hood, Dreydon Conley, Murphy Shanahan and Wade Rogers. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville High School Band

Wanted: trophies

Kevin Hensley
Monday, November 18, 2024
The success of the Robbinsville Marching Band is well-noted. A journey through the program’s room at the high school reveals a seemingly-limitless collection of trophies, adorning the walls of the massive musical space.
Kasen Buchanan (55), John Dominguez (74) and Tytan Teesateskie (72) crunch Swain County’s Zeke Glaspie for a loss in the first half of Friday’s shutout over the Maroon Devils. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Kasen Buchanan (55), John Dominguez (74) and Tytan Teesateskie (72) crunch Swain County’s Zeke Glaspie for a loss in the first half of Friday’s shutout over the Maroon Devils. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Devils advocates

Kevin Hensley
Monday, November 18, 2024
The box score from Nov. 8, 2024's game between Robbinsville and Swain County. Bryson City – Mixed into last year’s run was two different home games against a Smoky Mountain Conference foe: the Swain County Maroon Devils.
Robbinsville's Cameron Allison (14), Luke Lovin (3) and Bryce Adams (6) combine forces to drop Thomasville's Keshawn Carpenter during Friday's first-round playoff game. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville's Cameron Allison (14), Luke Lovin (3) and Bryce Adams (6) combine forces to drop Thomasville's Keshawn Carpenter during Friday's first-round playoff game. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Knights joust Bulldogs, advance to 2nd round

Kevin Hensley
Saturday, November 16, 2024
    Robbinsville – It took until the third quarter, but the Black Knights showed a familiar playoff swagger Friday night.
Quinn Jumper (12) eyes a T.C. Roberson defender as he cuts upfield Friday. Photos by Cheyanne Geyer/The Graham Star

Quinn Jumper (12) eyes a T.C. Roberson defender as he cuts upfield Friday. Photos by Cheyanne Geyer/The Graham Star

Rams shutout Knights

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
The box score from Nov. 1, 2024's game between T.C. Roberson and Robbinsville. Robbinsville – Opportunities for success were few and far between during the Knights’ impromptu return to Modeal Walsh Memorial Stadium.
Ryn Hooper had no idea about her big achievement until the semifinals of the conference tournament, when she was recognized for her accomplishment.

Ryn Hooper had no idea about her big achievement until the semifinals of the conference tournament, when she was recognized for her accomplishment.

Administrative assistant

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Robbinsville junior Ryn Hooper concentrates on a set during the Lady Knights’ second-round playoff match at Polk County on Oct. 24. Hooper surpassed the 1,000-assists mark for her career early last month. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.
Hazeleigh Driver (right) traps a Swain County ball handler during Monday’s lopsided victory over the Lady Devils. Photo by Cheyanne Geyer/The Graham Star

Hazeleigh Driver (right) traps a Swain County ball handler during Monday’s lopsided victory over the Lady Devils. Photo by Cheyanne Geyer/The Graham Star

Black Knights sweep tip-off

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Robbinsville Middle School’s Peyton Weaver sizes up a free throw late in Monday’s season opener against Swain County. Photo by Alex Parton/The Graham Star Robbinsville – One game evolved into a blowout; the other, a nailbiter. Both ended the same way, however: Robbinsville in the win column.
The expression concerning football being a “game of inches” was illustrated nicely by Robbinsville Mites quarterback Kyson Carpenter on Saturday, as the 11-year-old stretched to break the plane and give the Black Knights another Cracker Bowl title. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The expression concerning football being a “game of inches” was illustrated nicely by Robbinsville Mites quarterback Kyson Carpenter on Saturday, as the 11-year-old stretched to break the plane and give the Black Knights another Cracker Bowl title. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

‘Mighty Mites’ retain title

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Until someone manages to flip the script, get used to the sight of the Robbinsville Mites standing tall at the end of each year. The group won its fourth Cracker Bowl championship Saturday, prevailing 6-0 over Swain County.