Sports

Luke Lovin earned his first win of the year April 18 against Rosman, posting 6 ⅔ innings of work against the Tigers. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Luke Lovin earned his first win of the year April 18 against Rosman, posting 6 ⅔ innings of work against the Tigers. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Round 1 goes to the Jackets

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Hayesville – On the surface, everything that the Black Knights have clawed and scraped at this season was lost Monday. Nothing could be further from the truth – there’s still a lot of baseball and a lot of scenarios that could easily play out in Robbinsville’s favor.
The Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights won the Smoky Mountain Conference track & field championship Monday at Cherokee. From left are Braylon Blevins, Cameron Allison, Xamuel Wachacha, Mason Silvers, Ben Koeller, Eli Lambert, Braydon Lane, head coach Wren Millsaps, Channing Mull and Colton McCoy. Not pictured are Austin Angelo, Ethan Chekeleelee, Kenai Wolfe, Carsan Snider, Kam Woods, Jaxson Blundell, Khayton Swimmer, Braydon Allison and Elijah Kirkland.

The Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights won the Smoky Mountain Conference track & field championship Monday at Cherokee. From left are Braylon Blevins, Cameron Allison, Xamuel Wachacha, Mason Silvers, Ben Koeller, Eli Lambert, Braydon Lane, head coach Wren Millsaps, Channing Mull and Colton McCoy. Not pictured are Austin Angelo, Ethan Chekeleelee, Kenai Wolfe, Carsan Snider, Kam Woods, Jaxson Blundell, Khayton Swimmer, Braydon Allison and Elijah Kirkland.

Strength in numbers

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Cherokee – Just because you have a large quantity of athletes on your roster, it does not always mean you have a large amount of quality to go with it. But sometimes, the stars align.
Graylen Orr improved to 5-0 on the year Tuesday, tossing 5 ⅓ innings in Robbinsville’s 10-1 road victory at Hiwassee Dam. Photos by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Graylen Orr improved to 5-0 on the year Tuesday, tossing 5 ⅓ innings in Robbinsville’s 10-1 road victory at Hiwassee Dam. Photos by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Both Orrs in the water

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Ethan Orr walked back into the home dugout on cloud nine April 2, moments after he launched his third long ball of the year. Tuesday at Hiwassee Dam, Orr unloaded home run No. 4.
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.