Sports

Naomi Taylor – shown preparing for contact April 2 against Andrews – was keyed in during Robbinsville’s April 10 appointment at Western Carolina University, blistering three home runs in the Knights’ win over A.C. Reynolds. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Naomi Taylor – shown preparing for contact April 2 against Andrews – was keyed in during Robbinsville’s April 10 appointment at Western Carolina University, blistering three home runs in the Knights’ win over A.C. Reynolds. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

We have liftoff

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Cullowhee – Entering April 10’s neutral-site game against A.C. Reynolds, Naomi Taylor had exactly one home run on her resume.
Senior southpaw Ethan Orr tossed a complete game Friday, striking out 10 Wildcats to give Robbinsville its fifth conference win of the year. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Senior southpaw Ethan Orr tossed a complete game Friday, striking out 10 Wildcats to give Robbinsville its fifth conference win of the year. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Playoffs?

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Chase Calhoun celebrates after roping the go-ahead RBI single Friday at Andrews. Andrews – Entering spring break, the Robbinsville baseball program is in fine shape to not only break a 13-year playoff drought, but contend for a conference title.
Suri Watty connects for one of her three hits Friday. The sophomore second baseman totaled five hits, four RBI and two doubles in last week’s series with Andrews. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Suri Watty connects for one of her three hits Friday. The sophomore second baseman totaled five hits, four RBI and two doubles in last week’s series with Andrews. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Hits just keep comin’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 11, 2024
An ecstatic Sophie Roberts signals toward the dugout after reaching second on a wild pitch Friday at Andrews. The Lady Knights were fired up from the word go last week, pouring a combined 32 runs in two games against the Lady Wildcats.

8 local ballers named All-Conference

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 4, 2024
The 2023-24 basketball season officially wrapped up after this year’s state champions were determined over the weekend of March 15-16. With the schedule in the rearview mirror, the Smoky Mountain Conference formally announced its annual All-Conference honorees.
Sydney Adams signals to the dugout after smacking a 2-run, game-tying double Monday at Tuscola. The Lady Knights went on to defeat the Lady Mountaineers, 5-3. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Sydney Adams signals to the dugout after smacking a 2-run, game-tying double Monday at Tuscola. The Lady Knights went on to defeat the Lady Mountaineers, 5-3. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

No foolin’ around

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Waynesville – Flashes of just how dominant the Robbinsville Lady Knights can be were on full display Monday. Showing the respect warranted by the Knights’ program, Tuscola (4-7) tossed their No. 1 gun Addi Sampson inside the circle for Robbinsville’s third-straight road game.
There’s plenty for the Robbinsville Black Knights to smile for right now. Winners of five straight, the Knights have crept into second place in the Smoky Mountain Conference and are off to their best start in well over 20 years. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

There’s plenty for the Robbinsville Black Knights to smile for right now. Winners of five straight, the Knights have crept into second place in the Smoky Mountain Conference and are off to their best start in well over 20 years. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Mediocrity goes out the window

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Robbinsville – Every season begins with some sense of optimism. Even if a team is the flat-out pits, there’s always a bright spot to be found. Pitching is young, but will improve with reps. We’re striking out a lot, but we’re taking good cuts at the plate.
Robbinsville’s Ryan Lynn proudly displays his first place award March 16, after winning the individual race at the district tournament in Polk County. Photo courtesy of Cheri Lynn/Robbinsville Shooting Team

Robbinsville’s Ryan Lynn proudly displays his first place award March 16, after winning the individual race at the district tournament in Polk County. Photo courtesy of Cheri Lynn/Robbinsville Shooting Team

Next stop, Ellerbe

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Columbus – Simply put, there was a lot of competitors at March 16’s District 9 shooting tournament. So for Robbinsville’s Ryan Lynn to emerge from the pack as the top dog is quite the accomplishment.
Nothing could erase the smile of Anna Williams (4), who was greeted by her exuberant teammates following her first varsity home run Monday against Enka. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Nothing could erase the smile of Anna Williams (4), who was greeted by her exuberant teammates following her first varsity home run Monday against Enka. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Sugar Jets end Robbinsville’s perfect run

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Robbinsville – Entering Monday, the question was seriously being floated around the area: can anyone derail the Robbinsville Lady Knights this year?

Knights falter late, suffer 1st loss

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Cherokee – Things seemed well in-hand for Robbinsville Middle School’s baseball team March 21. Carrying a 9-6 lead into the bottom of the first, the Black Knights were three outs from starting the season 5-0.
Ethan Orr blanked 10 Cherokee batters in March 21’s 9-2 victory; while Quinn Jumper (12) tripled home the winning runs in Monday’s 10-8 win at Swain County. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Ethan Orr blanked 10 Cherokee batters in March 21’s 9-2 victory; while Quinn Jumper (12) tripled home the winning runs in Monday’s 10-8 win at Swain County. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Series of fortunate events

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Bryson City – It was a game the Black Knights wanted back. Badly.