Sports

Senior running back Cuttler Adams pokes through an open spot during the second half of Friday’s home loss to Rabun Gap, Ga. Photos by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

Senior running back Cuttler Adams pokes through an open spot during the second half of Friday’s home loss to Rabun Gap, Ga. Photos by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

Home invasion

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Final stats from Friday's game against Rabun Gap, Ga.
The “Black Knight Swarm” that has made waves all year – this time, compromised of Bryce Adams (6), Quinn Jumper (12), Kellen Ensley (54) and Chase Calhoun (2) – combines forces to stop Rabun Gap’s Anthony Quinn, Jr. on Friday night. Photo by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

The “Black Knight Swarm” that has made waves all year – this time, compromised of Bryce Adams (6), Quinn Jumper (12), Kellen Ensley (54) and Chase Calhoun (2) – combines forces to stop Rabun Gap’s Anthony Quinn, Jr. on Friday night. Photo by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

Black Knights handed first loss of season

Kevin Hensley
Friday, September 22, 2023
Robbinsville – All things considered, Friday’s loss can easily be viewed as a win for the Black Knights. For the first time since 2018, Robbinsville was paired against Rabun Gap, Ga. The Knights won the last showdown between the programs 43-34, on the road Sept. 14, 2018.
JV Black Knight Elijah Kirkland (7) attempts to slow down the efforts of Murphy’s Blake Davis on Sept. 7. Kirkland scored on the second play of Sept. 14’s road game at Andrews, which opened the floodgates in a 34-0 shutout of the Wildcats. Photo by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

JV Black Knight Elijah Kirkland (7) attempts to slow down the efforts of Murphy’s Blake Davis on Sept. 7. Kirkland scored on the second play of Sept. 14’s road game at Andrews, which opened the floodgates in a 34-0 shutout of the Wildcats. Photo by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

4 down, 2 to go for JV Knights

Kevin Hensley
Friday, September 22, 2023
Andrews – Visits to Hayesville and Swain County are all that stand between the JV Black Knights and a conference title. Robbinsville gnashed the Andrews Wildcats from the opening kickoff Sept. 7, taming the hosts’ efforts in a 34-0 shutout at Hugh Hamilton Stadium.
Cuttler Adams finds an open hole during Sept. 1’s game at Mountain Heritage. Adams has recently been selected to play in a pair of prestigous showcases after his high-school career wraps up. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Cuttler Adams finds an open hole during Sept. 1’s game at Mountain Heritage. Adams has recently been selected to play in a pair of prestigous showcases after his high-school career wraps up. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

‘Believe and have faith’

Kevin Hensley
Friday, September 22, 2023
Robbinsville – Cuttler Adams has been a busy man as of late. Realizing his potential to play at the next level, the perennial Black Knights running threat has turned up the heat on his quest to improve throughout 2023.
Lady Knights senior Aubrie Wachacha has finely-tuned her service game throughout her career and is peaking at the right time: her 68 aces at press time lead the Smoky Mountain Conference. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights senior Aubrie Wachacha has finely-tuned her service game throughout her career and is peaking at the right time: her 68 aces at press time lead the Smoky Mountain Conference. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Ace in the hole

Kevin Hensley
Friday, September 22, 2023
Robbinsville – There’s a reason Aubrie Wachacha is the first Lady Knight to step behind the service line in the rotation.
Under the pursuit of Murphy’s Brodie Betts, JV Black Knight Cameron Allison eyes a cut upfield during Sept. 7’s home tilt with the Bulldogs. Photo by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

Under the pursuit of Murphy’s Brodie Betts, JV Black Knight Cameron Allison eyes a cut upfield during Sept. 7’s home tilt with the Bulldogs. Photo by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

Taking a bite out of the competition

Kevin Hensley
Friday, September 15, 2023
Robbinsville – It started off as a heavyweight battle, between two titans of the Smoky Mountain Conference. But Sept.
Members of the Lady Knights volleyball team gather to sing the Robbinsville High School alma mater – a post-match tradition, when a victory is in the books – after Tuesday’s sweep over the Blue Ridge Bobcats. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Members of the Lady Knights volleyball team gather to sing the Robbinsville High School alma mater – a post-match tradition, when a victory is in the books – after Tuesday’s sweep over the Blue Ridge Bobcats. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

All smiles

Kevin Hensley
Friday, September 15, 2023
Robbinsville – Each time they step on the court, you can sense the poise.
Darion Ledbetter clutches one of his two interceptions Friday at Alleghany – both of which led to touchdowns in Robbinsville’s 35-7 win over the Trojans. Photos courtesy of Stewart Royall/Studio Roxie

Darion Ledbetter clutches one of his two interceptions Friday at Alleghany – both of which led to touchdowns in Robbinsville’s 35-7 win over the Trojans. Photos courtesy of Stewart Royall/Studio Roxie

Eat. Sleep. Conquer. Repeat.

Kevin Hensley
Friday, September 15, 2023
Sparta – Returning the favor from last year’s homecoming visit, Robbinsville made the 250-mile trek to Alleghany County on Friday.

Stopped 1 yard shy

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Robbinsville – In a frantic scramble, Cherokee had reached the Knights’ 11-yard line. The Braves had no way to stop the clock in the closing moments of Aug. 31’s junior-varsity showdown under the Big Oaks, as Cherokee had burned all of its timeouts in the moments leading up to the play.
Delaney Brooms rises toward a definitive kill Tuesday against Hayesville. The senior outside hitter was a thorn in the Jackets’ side throughout Robbinsville’s win. Photo by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

Delaney Brooms rises toward a definitive kill Tuesday against Hayesville. The senior outside hitter was a thorn in the Jackets’ side throughout Robbinsville’s win. Photo by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

Breaking out the Brooms

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Robbinsville – Five of the Lady Knights’ victories this year have came thanks to clean sweeps. Looking up and down the roster, there are many factors you can attribute Robbinsville’s performance out of the gate: * Back-row coverage? Check.