Sports

Ella Nelms delivers a pitch during March 3's season opener against Rosman. Nelms has not given up a run this year and has already struck out 61 batters. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Ella Nelms delivers a pitch during March 3's season opener against Rosman. Nelms has not given up a run this year and has already struck out 61 batters. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Complete shutdown

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Through the first six games of the year, Daphne Barlow has already homered twice and driven in 11 runs for the Robbinsville Lady Knights. Her first long ball came March 9 at Enka. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.

Black Knights split league play to begin season

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Robbinsville High School's baseball program has started the 2026 season with mixed results. After sweeping the beginning series with Rosman, the Black Knights ran into Hayesville – the defending Smoky Mountain Conference champions – in a make-up, home doubleheader Friday.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights gather with the 1A state championship runner-up plaque at half-court March 11, after dropping the title game 58-44 to Wilson Preparatory Academy. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Lady Knights gather with the 1A state championship runner-up plaque at half-court March 11, after dropping the title game 58-44 to Wilson Preparatory Academy. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights fall in 1A championship game

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Winston-Salem – A magical run for Lady Knights basketball came to a disappointing end March 11.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights gather with the 1A state runner-up plaque Wednesday, just minutes after falling 58-44 in the title game to Wilson Preparatory Academy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Lady Knights gather with the 1A state runner-up plaque Wednesday, just minutes after falling 58-44 in the title game to Wilson Preparatory Academy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights fall in 1A state title game

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Winston-Salem – A magical run for Lady Knights basketball came to a disappointing end Wednesday afternoon.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights display the North Carolina High School Athletic Association's 1A Western Regional Championship, moments after defeating Andrews 53-38 in the title game Thursday at Lenoir-Rhyne University. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Lady Knights display the North Carolina High School Athletic Association's 1A Western Regional Championship, moments after defeating Andrews 53-38 in the title game Thursday at Lenoir-Rhyne University. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights win 1A Western Regional title

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 5, 2026
Lady Knights senior Abby Wehr (3) evades the defense of Lady Wildcats Juliet Holloway (4) and Knox Davis (0) for a second-half basket Thursday. Hickory – Behind explosive first and third quarters, the Lady Knights punched their ticket to its initial state finals appearance Thursday.
Lady Knights sophomore Bella Coats (40) breaks away from Bethany Community School's Brooke Carter (11) and Ryleigh Wiseburn (20) in the fourth quarter of Thursday's second-round playoff game. More photos can be purchased at geosnapshot.com/grahamstarsports. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights sophomore Bella Coats (40) breaks away from Bethany Community School's Brooke Carter (11) and Ryleigh Wiseburn (20) in the fourth quarter of Thursday's second-round playoff game. More photos can be purchased at geosnapshot.com/grahamstarsports. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights begin postseason run

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 27, 2026
Hiwassee Dam – Though the hosts put up a gallant effort, it was Robbinsville who stood tall at the end of Monday's fourth-round playoff game.
The Robbinsville Black Knights completed their historic 50th anniversary season by capturing the state individual tournament team championship Saturday in Greensboro. It was Robbinsville's second individual team title and the first 1A/2A crown. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Black Knights completed their historic 50th anniversary season by capturing the state individual tournament team championship Saturday in Greensboro. It was Robbinsville's second individual team title and the first 1A/2A crown. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Great things often happen in 3s

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Robbinsville Wrestling Head Coach Travis Hooper proudly displays the 1A/2A individual team championship plaque Saturday.
Lleyton Hooper maintains top control on Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy's Malachi Smith during Feb. 10's second-round, dual-team postseason match. Lleyton is 1-of-4 Black Knights that will vie for an individual state championship Saturday in Greensboro. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lleyton Hooper maintains top control on Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy's Malachi Smith during Feb. 10's second-round, dual-team postseason match. Lleyton is 1-of-4 Black Knights that will vie for an individual state championship Saturday in Greensboro. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights wrestling competes for individual glory

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 20, 2026
Robbinsville's Loxston Hooper won his 200th career bout during Tuesday's Western Regional dual-team postseason title match against Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy. Loxston will compete for an individual state championship in the 138-pound weight class Saturday.
The Robbinsville Black Knights won the program’s second dual-team state championship Tuesday night, defeating the South Davidson Wildcats 58-24 in the finals. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

The Robbinsville Black Knights won the program’s second dual-team state championship Tuesday night, defeating the South Davidson Wildcats 58-24 in the finals. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Knights win 2nd state duals title

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Denton – Both times that Robbinsville has won a state dual-team championship, it has occurred in a high school gym. That's just the way the Black Knights would prefer it, of course: no need for a lot of glitz and glamour.  Robbinsville (No.
The Robbinsville Black Knights capped a strong showing at Feb. 11's state indoor track meet by winning their third championship of the day in the 4x400 relay. From left are head coach Dale Farr, Austin Bohn, Nathan Frederick, Benjamin Frederick, Colton McCoy and assistant coach Jeremy Lunsford. Photos courtesy of Robbinsville Indoor Track and Field

The Robbinsville Black Knights capped a strong showing at Feb. 11's state indoor track meet by winning their third championship of the day in the 4x400 relay. From left are head coach Dale Farr, Austin Bohn, Nathan Frederick, Benjamin Frederick, Colton McCoy and assistant coach Jeremy Lunsford. Photos courtesy of Robbinsville Indoor Track and Field

Boys win 3 indoor track championships

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Isiac Collins won the shot-put state title at Feb. 11's meet, recording a distance of 53' 11 ½.” Winston-Salem – The Robbinsville Black Knights indoor track and field team reported to the JDL Fast Track on Feb. 11 with purpose.