Sports

In her first game as a Robbinsville Lady Knight, Sophie Roberts launched the program’s first home run of the year at Smoky Mountain on Monday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Offensive outpour

Kevin Hensley

Friday, March 8, 2024

Webster – Everywhere you looked, Monday’s season opener for the Robbinsville Lady Knights was nothing but positive. A 12-run top of the first ended things before they really got started for Smoky Mountain (0-2), as Robbinsville almost batted around twice in its first offensive series of the year.

Robbinsville seniors Zoie Shuler and Cuttler Adams – shown competing at last year’s state championship meet – will help usher in the Knights’ 2024 track & field season. As part of their curtain call, both are seeking returns to the 1A dance. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Success is not complex

Kevin Hensley

Friday, March 8, 2024

* Robbinsville track & field season preview Robbinsville – As the track & field program continues to build its roster depth from the ground up, the varsity roster is set to compete with what new head coach Dale Farr deems a strong “nucleus.

Over 20 participants sprinted full speed into Lake Santeetlah on Saturday, as part of the annual “Polar Plunge.” Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Cooler than the flip side of the pillow

Kevin Hensley

Friday, March 8, 2024

Lake Santeetlah – Like an attempt to sell ice to an eskimo, good luck convincing the participants that Saturday’s “Polar Plunge” might be the warmest one ever held.

Darion Ledbetter turns to fire a second-half attempt Tuesday against North Stokes. Thanks to the Vikings, Robbinsville’s season came to an early halt in the first round of the state playoffs. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Robbinsville High School

Black Knights fail in conquest to down Vikings

Kevin Hensley

Friday, March 1, 2024

Robbinsville – The visitors came out swinging Tuesday, opening a 10-0 lead before the Black Knights mustered their first response. However, Robbinsville (No. 16 seed, 16-8) was unable to recoup the cost of the early rush from North Stokes (No.

Robbinsville senior Delaney Brooms unloads a 3-point attempt over the defense of Hayesville’s Emma Ashe during Feb. 20’s meeting in the semifinals of the conference tournament. The Knights and Jackets were paired together in the first round of the playoffs exactly one week later, with Hayesville pulling away late to advance in the postseason race. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights unable to recreate playoff magic

Kevin Hensley

Friday, March 1, 2024

Hayesville – It was the fourth time this year that Robbinsville had drawn the Lady Jackets as its opponent. The Lady Knights made the trek to Clay County on Tuesday to face their conference rival in the first round of the state playoffs. Robbinsville (No.

Zoie Shuler committed to play softball at the University of Tennessee in the offseason. She will spend her senior year as a Robbinsville Lady Knight, proving why the Vols requested her talents.

Lady Knights hoping experience, youth will mean state gold

Kevin Hensley

Friday, March 1, 2024

Memory Frapp enters her senior year as the Lady Knights’ go-to hurler. She fanned 108 batters last season. Robbinsville – They have power, youthful exuberance and one of the most experienced lineups in the program’s history, top to bottom.

Black Knights attempting to break through ceiling

Kevin Hensley

Friday, March 1, 2024

Robbinsville – It seems to be an overarching narrative at the outset of each Black Knights baseball season: could this be the year Robbinsville qualifies for the playoffs? The drought stretches back to 2011, but Robbinsville is focused on the here and now – not the years gone by.

Adair Panama, 1A state finalist, 113 pounds. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

9 simple rules for winning a state title

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Greensboro – What does it mean to be a “champion?” Simply defined in the Oxford Dictionary, the term credits an individual as “a person who has defeated or surpassed all rivals in a competition, especially in sports.” Heading into this year’s N.C.

Black Knights senior Donovan Carpenter keys in on a first-half jumper during the regular-season finale Feb. 13 at Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Upsets joust Knights

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Cherokee – You never know how the chips may fall once you reach the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament. Both of Robbinsville’s boys teams were afforded the No.

Sophomore guard Suri Watty (right) keeps a watchful eye on the outside antics of Hayesville’s Breanna Abrams during Tuesday’s loss in the semifinals of the conference tournament at Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Inconsistency dooms Lady Knights

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Cherokee – If the Lady Knights can get into a full-game groove, look out. Flashes of the potential Robbinsville (No. 3 seed, 16-8) has still yet to tap into were on display in the first quarter of Tuesday’s Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament pairing against Hayesville (No. 2, 20-5).