Sports

Senior Roman Jones prepares to lower the boom on Cherokee’s Kingston Welch en route to one of his five trips into the end zone Friday. Photos by Royce Worbington/The Graham Star

Senior Roman Jones prepares to lower the boom on Cherokee’s Kingston Welch en route to one of his five trips into the end zone Friday. Photos by Royce Worbington/The Graham Star

Roman Empire

Kevin Hensley
Friday, October 11, 2024
The box score from Oct. 4, 2024's game between Cherokee and Robbinsville. Robbinsville – One game removed from a breakout performance, Roman Jones tied a record set by his father some 32 years ago.
Landon Pollard attempts to shirk an Andrews defender Sept. 19. Elijah Kirkland (12) offers a helping hand for the cause. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Landon Pollard attempts to shirk an Andrews defender Sept. 19. Elijah Kirkland (12) offers a helping hand for the cause. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

JV Black Knights collect second win of week

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Robbinsville – After an emotionally-charged road win over Murphy on Sept. 16, one could easily understand how the JV Black Knights might have dreaded throwing pads back on for another game just three days later. But really, Robbinsville needed just 10 minutes or so to get back into its groove.
Robbinsville senior Liz Carpenter (20) looks to tip the ball past Hiwassee Dam’s Olivia McNabb during Monday’s sweep of the Lady Eagles. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Liz Carpenter (20) looks to tip the ball past Hiwassee Dam’s Olivia McNabb during Monday’s sweep of the Lady Eagles. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Conference struggles continue

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Cherokee – Two matches stand between the Lady Knights and a long-awaited return to the friendly confines of home. Robbinsville has been inundated with road matches this year, including playing the first 5-of-6 Smoky Mountain Conference affairs outside its home gym.
Roman Jones (15) works through the front-line battle Sept. 12 against Copper Basin. Jones eclipsed the 250-yard mark and recorded all four of Robbinsville’s touchdowns at Trion, Ga. Photo by Royce Worbington/The Graham Star

Roman Jones (15) works through the front-line battle Sept. 12 against Copper Basin. Jones eclipsed the 250-yard mark and recorded all four of Robbinsville’s touchdowns at Trion, Ga. Photo by Royce Worbington/The Graham Star

So close, yet so far away

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 26, 2024
The box score from Sept. 20, 2024's game between Robbinsville and Trion. Trion, Ga. – The first meeting between a pair of 1A powerhouses from two different states lived up to the billing – and then some.
With Claire Barlow (center) and Chloe Adams scrambling to get into position, junior setter Ryn Hooper makes a pass during Aug. 20’s home match against Highlands. Photo by Royce Worbington/The Graham Star

With Claire Barlow (center) and Chloe Adams scrambling to get into position, junior setter Ryn Hooper makes a pass during Aug. 20’s home match against Highlands. Photo by Royce Worbington/The Graham Star

Back on the road again

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 19, 2024
Candler – The Lady Knights have improved to 13-3 following their most recent stretch, but the team’s success might be the best-kept secret at Robbinsville in recent memory. Save for a quick check-in Sept.
Cameron Allison (4) had other plans for Peyton Baine's pass to Brodie Betts (11), making a mid-air denial by roping in his second interception of the game Monday at Murphy. Allison's pick transitioned into Robbinsville scoring the game-clinching touchdown. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Cameron Allison (4) had other plans for Peyton Baine's pass to Brodie Betts (11), making a mid-air denial by roping in his second interception of the game Monday at Murphy. Allison's pick transitioned into Robbinsville scoring the game-clinching touchdown. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

JV Black Knights ready for primetime

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 19, 2024
Murphy – The message was pounded into Robbinsville’s head time and time again, as the activity bus rolled down U.S. 129 South: win.
Darion Ledbetter (5) celebrates with Tytan Teesateskie after scoring his first of two touchdowns during Sept. 12’s rout over Copper Basin. Photos by Royce Worbington/The Graham Star

Darion Ledbetter (5) celebrates with Tytan Teesateskie after scoring his first of two touchdowns during Sept. 12’s rout over Copper Basin. Photos by Royce Worbington/The Graham Star

Basin shaken

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 19, 2024
The box score from Sept. 12, 2024's game between Copper Basin and Robbinsville. Robbinsville – Heading into the Sept. 12 showdown with Copper Basin, Tenn., the Black Knights were laser-focused on avoiding their first 0-4 start in 29 years. The Cougars never stood a chance.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights celebrate after winning a hard-fought volley Aug. 29 at Andrews. Visible are Daphne Barlow (left), Claire Barlow, Suri Watty (6) and Liz Carpenter. Photo by Cannon Crompton/Cherokee Scout

The Robbinsville Lady Knights celebrate after winning a hard-fought volley Aug. 29 at Andrews. Visible are Daphne Barlow (left), Claire Barlow, Suri Watty (6) and Liz Carpenter. Photo by Cannon Crompton/Cherokee Scout

Back on track

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 12, 2024
Cashiers – Tonight’s game against Hiwassee Dam will be the first time Robbinsville has touched its home court for a volleyball match in 16 days. A lengthy road trip concluded Monday and Tuesday, with back-to-back trips to the Highlands/Cashiers plateau.
Cameron Allison ran wild on defense for the Black Knights during Sept. 5’s Smoky Mountain Conference opener at Cherokee, scoring on an interception and punt return in Robbinsville’s trouncing of the Braves. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Cameron Allison ran wild on defense for the Black Knights during Sept. 5’s Smoky Mountain Conference opener at Cherokee, scoring on an interception and punt return in Robbinsville’s trouncing of the Braves. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

JV Black Knights run wild

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 12, 2024
Cherokee – Three defensive touchdowns, two scoring receptions and a 56-yard rush to the end zone.  No, the JV Robbinsville Black Knights (3-0) did not have the cheat codes turned on when they stepped off the bus at Cherokee on Sept.
The 10U Robbinsville Black Knights were able to enjoy the week of a lifetime in August, traveling to Ohio to compete in the inaugural Savannah Bananas Ball Youth Tournament. All names are listed from left in each row. Laying in front: Dake Haney and Jacob Emmons. Kneeling: Jax Mullinax, Jameson Baxter and Baylor Nichols. Standing: A.J. Farr, Canyan Gross, Kyson Carpenter, Kasen Garrison and Levi Millsaps. On shoulders: Lawton Gibby, Daylon Anderson, Brayden Menard and Eli Nelms.

The 10U Robbinsville Black Knights were able to enjoy the week of a lifetime in August, traveling to Ohio to compete in the inaugural Savannah Bananas Ball Youth Tournament. All names are listed from left in each row. Laying in front: Dake Haney and Jacob Emmons. Kneeling: Jax Mullinax, Jameson Baxter and Baylor Nichols. Standing: A.J. Farr, Canyan Gross, Kyson Carpenter, Kasen Garrison and Levi Millsaps. On shoulders: Lawton Gibby, Daylon Anderson, Brayden Menard and Eli Nelms.

Goin’ Bananas

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 12, 2024
Cleveland – Picture it: the crowd roars your name as you saunter up to the plate, your walk-up music ushering you closer to the clay. Suddenly, you stop. You might break into a dance too embarrassing to be recorded – except multiple cell phones in the stands are capturing your every movement.