Sports

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.
Xamuel Wachacha (1) attempts to evade the defense of Murphy's Abram Twiggs and shoot a 3-pointer during Feb. 12's Smoky Mountain Conference title game. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Xamuel Wachacha (1) attempts to evade the defense of Murphy's Abram Twiggs and shoot a 3-pointer during Feb. 12's Smoky Mountain Conference title game. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Black Knights upset in tournament semifinals

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Murphy – There was little doubt that Feb. 18's semifinal match-up would be a doozy. The first team to hand the Black Knights a conference loss this season was Cherokee. Even though Robbinsville split the series with a Senior Night victory Feb.
Robbinsville senior Abby Wehr splits the defense of Murphy's Kennedy White (3) and Emma Hensley (23) for a second-half lay-up attempt Feb. 12. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville senior Abby Wehr splits the defense of Murphy's Kennedy White (3) and Emma Hensley (23) for a second-half lay-up attempt Feb. 12. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights fall in tournament quarterfinals

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Bella Coats shoots a foul shot during Feb. 12's junior varsity game at Murphy. Murphy – The Lady Knights entered the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament with vindication in mind. Sadly, the chance for redemption slipped away in the waning seconds of Feb. 17's quarterfinal clash with Andrews (No.