Sports

Kyler Branham hooks Mitchell's Jayden Burleson for an eventual near-fall in the second round of the state dual-team tournament Saturday. Branham went on to score the second majority decision for Robbinsville in the match. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Kyler Branham hooks Mitchell's Jayden Burleson for an eventual near-fall in the second round of the state dual-team tournament Saturday. Branham went on to score the second majority decision for Robbinsville in the match. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights ousted by Vikings

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Newland – The quest for another 1A dual team championship will have to wait at least one more year. Despite holding the No. 1 Western seed, Robbinsville (32-3) had to travel to Avery County (No. 2) for regional competition in the state postseason Jan. 31.

Woes of the road

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Hayesville – Try as they may, the Lady Knights could only serve one cold plate of revenge during a 3-game road trip. Robbinsville went 1-2 away from its friendly confines this week, with a season split Friday against Andrews wedged between a non-conference loss at Hiwassee Dam on Feb.
The Black Knights erupt, moments after Robbinsville’s Darion Ledbetter hit the buzzer-beating winner Friday at Andrews. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Black Knights erupt, moments after Robbinsville’s Darion Ledbetter hit the buzzer-beating winner Friday at Andrews. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Better safe than sorry

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Isiac Collins breaks away during the first half of Friday’s JV boys showdown in Andrews. Andrews – With 10 seconds left in Friday’s divisional game, Bryce Adams batted down the go-ahead jumper from Ty Clark.

Last hurrahs; 1st time greetings

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 8, 2024
*State indoor track preview A nice balance of newcomers and veterans will make the trek to Winston-Salem on Saturday for the 1A/2A state indoor track championship meet.
The Robbinsville Mites gather at the conclusion of Saturday’s league tournament, to relish in the moment of winning the 2023-24 title. Kneeling in front are Channing Mull (left) and Brayden Allison. Second row (from left) are Jed Baxter, Micah York, Draylen Hill, Dex Webster, Conner Hyde, Tanner Fouts and Elijah Millsaps. Third row (from left) are assistant coach James York, Carsan Snider, Hudson Blevins and David Guzman. Back row (from left) are head coach Corey Snider, Tyler Holder and Levi Satterfield.

The Robbinsville Mites gather at the conclusion of Saturday’s league tournament, to relish in the moment of winning the 2023-24 title. Kneeling in front are Channing Mull (left) and Brayden Allison. Second row (from left) are Jed Baxter, Micah York, Draylen Hill, Dex Webster, Conner Hyde, Tanner Fouts and Elijah Millsaps. Third row (from left) are assistant coach James York, Carsan Snider, Hudson Blevins and David Guzman. Back row (from left) are head coach Corey Snider, Tyler Holder and Levi Satterfield.

Boyz II Men

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 8, 2024
The Robbinsville Termites celebrate with the 2023-24 Smokey Mountain Youth Conference tournament trophy, moments after defeating Hayesville on Saturday in the finals. Front row are Ty Carver (left) and Kayden Teesateskie.
Members of the Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights celebrate after winning the 42nd Annual North Carolina Junior High State Championship on Saturday. Photos courtesy of Sarah Orr/Lady Knights Wrestling

Members of the Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights celebrate after winning the 42nd Annual North Carolina Junior High State Championship on Saturday. Photos courtesy of Sarah Orr/Lady Knights Wrestling

Titles fit for queens

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Advance – Against elite performers from around the state, Robbinsville showed why its wrestling program has a feared reputation.
All Murphy’s Ryan Payne (11) could do was look on in awe of Robbinsville junior Darion Ledbetter making this reverse layup look easy during Tuesday’s nightcap with the Bulldogs. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

All Murphy’s Ryan Payne (11) could do was look on in awe of Robbinsville junior Darion Ledbetter making this reverse layup look easy during Tuesday’s nightcap with the Bulldogs. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

No Knights off: Boys division taking shape

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Robbinsville’s Everett Taylor delivers a side heave in JV action Jan. 25 against Hiwassee Dam. Robbinsville – To repeat as the Smoky Mountain Conference champions, the Black Knights will have to make sure not to fall susceptible to the perils of the road.
Junior guard Claire Barlow fearlessly drives through four Hiwassee Dam defenders – Katie McNabb, Brinkley Payne, Olivia McNabb and Sky Taylor (from left) – in the second half of Jan. 25’s home game with the Eagles. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Junior guard Claire Barlow fearlessly drives through four Hiwassee Dam defenders – Katie McNabb, Brinkley Payne, Olivia McNabb and Sky Taylor (from left) – in the second half of Jan. 25’s home game with the Eagles. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Reclaiming their yard: girls end home skid

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Robbinsville – Completing the season sweep over a fierce conference rival helped the Lady Knights end the week with a feather in their cap.
Lleyton Hooper has Mountain Island Charter’s Ethan Hayes searching for answers during the 144-pound bout of Saturday’s first-round playoff dual. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lleyton Hooper has Mountain Island Charter’s Ethan Hayes searching for answers during the 144-pound bout of Saturday’s first-round playoff dual. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Back to the grind

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Robbinsville – The Black Knights are in a very familiar position: the regional rounds of the state dual-team tournament. It’s a hump that Robbinsville (31-2) has struggled to get over since winning the state championship in 2017 – the only 1A team crown in program history.
Capping off a 17-0 season, the Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights relish the moment after winning the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament Jan. 24. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Capping off a 17-0 season, the Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights relish the moment after winning the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament Jan. 24. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

17-0

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Robbinsville – Unmatched. Unparalleled. Unrivaled. Somewhere along the way, the 2023-24 Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights embarked on a mental mission to ensure those three descriptors prefaced any discussion about the damage they inflicted on the opposition.