Sports

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.
Robbinsville’s Cuttler Adams emerges for an eventual 29-yard touchdown run that would cement the Knights’ 28-17 win at Mountain Heritage on Friday. Adams now has 5,075 rushing yards in his career. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Cuttler Adams emerges for an eventual 29-yard touchdown run that would cement the Knights’ 28-17 win at Mountain Heritage on Friday. Adams now has 5,075 rushing yards in his career. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Runaway momentum

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Burnsville – One might expect a pre-game glimpse inside the Black Knights’ locker room to be upbeat, loud and full of teenagers who are psyching themselves up for that evening’s assignment. Sorry to disappoint, but that does not fit Robbinsville’s mantra this year.
Robbinsville's Chase Calhoun (2) and Quinn Jumper (12) wrestle Mountain Heritage quarterback Brandon Quinn to the ground in the first quarter of the Black Knights' 28-17 win over the Cougars on Friday night. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville's Chase Calhoun (2) and Quinn Jumper (12) wrestle Mountain Heritage quarterback Brandon Quinn to the ground in the first quarter of the Black Knights' 28-17 win over the Cougars on Friday night. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

'Swarm' continues to pay dividends; Knights upend Cougars

Kevin Hensley
Friday, September 1, 2023
Burnsville -- Cuttler Adams had four rushing touchdowns and an interception.

Cougars pounce on JV Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Burnsville – Last year’s Robbinsville JV football team led Mountain Heritage early in a neutral-site game at Tuscola. This year’s narrative was a bit more lopsided – and not-too-favorable to the Black Knights. Mountain Heritage’s freshman-heavy squad hosted Robbinsville on Aug.
Today, Tina Wesson (left, pictured with marketing director Erik Barnett) is the activities director at Tapoco Lodge. Over 20 years ago, she proved her outdoor prowess by winning the long-running competition show, “Survivor.”

Today, Tina Wesson (left, pictured with marketing director Erik Barnett) is the activities director at Tapoco Lodge. Over 20 years ago, she proved her outdoor prowess by winning the long-running competition show, “Survivor.”

She’s a Survivor

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Tapoco – Survival is an instinct we all have at one time or another. Some are resilient and courageous in the face of danger, while others are brave enough to overcome hardship and misfortune.
Liz Carpenter prepares to spike the ball Tuesday, as Murphy’s Cayla Greer and Lailee Holloway line up for a block attempt. Robbinsville won the first pairing between last year’s co-Smoky Mountain Conference champions in four sets. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Liz Carpenter prepares to spike the ball Tuesday, as Murphy’s Cayla Greer and Lailee Holloway line up for a block attempt. Robbinsville won the first pairing between last year’s co-Smoky Mountain Conference champions in four sets. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Change their minds

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Murphy – The Lady Knights showed up to show out.
The anything-but-appetizing combination of “Biscuits and Gravy” – senior backs Cuttler Adams (4) and Kage Williams (33) – ran wild on the Franklin Panthers, combining for 27 carries, 150 of the Knights’ 200 rushing yards and all three of Robbinsville’s touchdowns on the ground in the 26-0 win. Photos by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

The anything-but-appetizing combination of “Biscuits and Gravy” – senior backs Cuttler Adams (4) and Kage Williams (33) – ran wild on the Franklin Panthers, combining for 27 carries, 150 of the Knights’ 200 rushing yards and all three of Robbinsville’s touchdowns on the ground in the 26-0 win. Photos by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

Access: denied

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Robbinsville – On a night where the stars of tomorrow received pre-game acknowledgement, the Black Knights showed what the expectations are once you reach the high-school level.
Donovan Carpenter unleashes a pass during the first half of Friday's 26-0 rout over Franklin. Photo by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

Donovan Carpenter unleashes a pass during the first half of Friday's 26-0 rout over Franklin. Photo by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

Knights stifle Panthers on Youth Recognition Night

Kevin Hensley
Friday, August 25, 2023
Robbinsville – On a night where the stars of tomorrow received pre-game acknowledgement, the Black Knights showed what the expectations are once you reach the high-school level.