Sports

Knowing the outcome of the play was fully in the bag, Robbinsville senior Cuttler Adams reaches back for a high five from Tanner Hedden during his 102-yard interception return for the game-winning touchdown in the late stages of Friday’s win over Swain County. The victory solidified the Black Knights’ 27th divisional title. Photos by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Knowing the outcome of the play was fully in the bag, Robbinsville senior Cuttler Adams reaches back for a high five from Tanner Hedden during his 102-yard interception return for the game-winning touchdown in the late stages of Friday’s win over Swain County. The victory solidified the Black Knights’ 27th divisional title. Photos by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

How the SMC was won

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 2, 2023
The box score from Oct. 27, 2023's Smoky Mountain Conference title game between Swain County and Robbinsville. Robbinsville – Friday’s divisional title game was everything it was built up to be – and then some.
It did not take long for Bob Colvin Field to become heavily occupied Friday night, moments after the Robbinsville Black Knights secured their 27th Smoky Mountain Conference title by defeating Swain County under the Big Oaks. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

It did not take long for Bob Colvin Field to become heavily occupied Friday night, moments after the Robbinsville Black Knights secured their 27th Smoky Mountain Conference title by defeating Swain County under the Big Oaks. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Whatizit? It’s Robbinsville, again

Kevin Hensley
Friday, October 27, 2023
Robbinsville – Friday’s divisional title game was everything it was built up to be – and then some. Two programs with a decades-old rivalry – Robbinsville and Swain County – spent 48 minutes in combat on Bob Colvin Field, vying for the premier bragging rights in the Smoky Mountain Conference.

Early exit

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Bryson City – At the end of the day, it boils down to one simple fact: Swain County had Robbinsville’s number this year. Despite the Lady Knights and Lady Devils already playing each other three times in 2023 – including the semifinals of the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament Oct. 17 – the N.C.
Black Knights senior Chase Calhoun leaves Hayesville’s Isaac Chandler lying in his wake Friday, while attempting to navigate through the Jackets defense. Calhoun later reeled in a 60-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter of Robbinsville’s 26-20 triumph. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Black Knights senior Chase Calhoun leaves Hayesville’s Isaac Chandler lying in his wake Friday, while attempting to navigate through the Jackets defense. Calhoun later reeled in a 60-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter of Robbinsville’s 26-20 triumph. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Enduring a sting

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 26, 2023
The box score from Friday's game. Robbinsville – It wasn’t pretty, but the Black Knights avoided the need for a EpiPen to prevail over Hayesville on Friday, 26-20.
Sophomore libero Suri Watty eyes a serve during Tuesday’s conference-tournament semifinals against Swain County. Watty’s stint at the service line in the third set sparked a 12-3 run for Robbinsville. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Sophomore libero Suri Watty eyes a serve during Tuesday’s conference-tournament semifinals against Swain County. Watty’s stint at the service line in the third set sparked a 12-3 run for Robbinsville. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights ousted in tourney semis

Kevin Hensley
Friday, October 20, 2023
Final standings for the 2023 Smoky Mountain Conference volleyball season.
The 1982 Robbinsville Black Knights state-championship football team.

The 1982 Robbinsville Black Knights state-championship football team.

3 athletes, 2 teams set to be enshrined

Kevin Hensley
Friday, October 20, 2023
Robbinsville – A pair of hard-nosed gridiron stars; a coach that dared to break down traditional barriers; and teams that rounded out perhaps the dominant run in state history are all set to be recognized for their athletic endeavors.
Members of the Black Knights’ defense – Blake Powers (7), Chase Calhoun (2), Jonah Teesateskie (62) and John Dominguez (74) – crunch Andrews senior running back Dalton Rose during Friday’s homecoming win over the Wildcats. Photos courtesy of Maria Shook Photography

Members of the Black Knights’ defense – Blake Powers (7), Chase Calhoun (2), Jonah Teesateskie (62) and John Dominguez (74) – crunch Andrews senior running back Dalton Rose during Friday’s homecoming win over the Wildcats. Photos courtesy of Maria Shook Photography

Every Rose has its thorn

Kevin Hensley
Friday, October 20, 2023
Robbinsville – For every question posed by Andrews, the Black Knights had an answer.
Robbinsville High School senior Taelyr Ann Jackson was revealed as this year’s Miss Black Knight at halftime of Friday’s homecoming game. Photo courtesy of Maria Shook Photography

Robbinsville High School senior Taelyr Ann Jackson was revealed as this year’s Miss Black Knight at halftime of Friday’s homecoming game. Photo courtesy of Maria Shook Photography

Walkin’ on Sunshine

Kevin Hensley
Friday, October 20, 2023
Robbinsville – The nickname “Sunshine” was afforded to Taelyr Ann Jackson while she was a member of the Lady Knights softball team her sophomore year.
Robbinsville's Donovan Carpenter (11) delivers a handoff to Cuttler Adams during the waning moments of the first half Friday against Andrews. The Black Knights scalded the Wildcats 36-19 on homecoming. Photo courtesy of Maria Shook Photography

Robbinsville's Donovan Carpenter (11) delivers a handoff to Cuttler Adams during the waning moments of the first half Friday against Andrews. The Black Knights scalded the Wildcats 36-19 on homecoming. Photo courtesy of Maria Shook Photography

Conference champs tamed

Kevin Hensley
Friday, October 13, 2023
Robbinsville – For every question posed by Andrews, Robbinsville had an answer. By the closing moments of the third quarter, the Black Knights had amassed a 36-0 advantage over the visiting Wildcats.