Sports

The measure to demolish perilous seating on the home side of Big Oaks Stadium was approved around 11:30 a.m. June 29. Two hours later, work commenced. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The measure to demolish perilous seating on the home side of Big Oaks Stadium was approved around 11:30 a.m. June 29. Two hours later, work commenced. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Beat the clock

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 6, 2023
Robbinsville – Friday Night Lights might get to create a familiar glow in Robbinsville after all.
Abigail Knight has made her choice: UNC-Charlotte will be the next to receive the services of the Lady Knights alum. Although her decision might seem practical to some, it was one Knight wrestled with. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Abigail Knight has made her choice: UNC-Charlotte will be the next to receive the services of the Lady Knights alum. Although her decision might seem practical to some, it was one Knight wrestled with. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Nothin’ finer than being a 49er

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 29, 2023
Robbinsville – With one single decision, the commute to watch Abigail Knight play a home college softball game plummeted from 987 miles to 213; a 15-hour drive, now just 3 ½.
Rising Black Knights senior Kage Williams proudly displays the North Carolina state flag while standing atop the podium at the USA Wrestling Southeast Regionals in Cherokee on May 28. Williams went 5-0 in his 195-pound bracket to win Robbinsville’s inaugural Southeastern title. Photo courtesy of Peak Wrestling

Rising Black Knights senior Kage Williams proudly displays the North Carolina state flag while standing atop the podium at the USA Wrestling Southeast Regionals in Cherokee on May 28. Williams went 5-0 in his 195-pound bracket to win Robbinsville’s inaugural Southeastern title. Photo courtesy of Peak Wrestling

Knights stayin’ polished

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 22, 2023
Cherokee – Practice makes perfect. Repetition is key. You have to go the extra mile. Whatever tagline you want to associate with student-athletes who spend the offseason from their respective sports by competing anytime, anywhere they can, it is a mentality that has stood the test of time.
Brock Adams, Kensley Phillips and Zoie Shuler (from left) each received the prestigious Ed Jackson Award for being Robbinsville's Most Valuable male and female athletes at May 22's R-Club Banquet. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Brock Adams, Kensley Phillips and Zoie Shuler (from left) each received the prestigious Ed Jackson Award for being Robbinsville's Most Valuable male and female athletes at May 22's R-Club Banquet. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Adams, Phillips, Shuler recognized as elite Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Janell Rattler was named Robbinsville High School Athletics’ Volunteer of the Year at May 22’s banquet. Robbinsville – You really cannot fault the athletic department for being unable to discern between the two.
As evident from the bottom row of bleachers at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium, support for the seating area has caused a significant shift in the alignment of the arrangement, which has Graham County Schools exploring other venues to play “home” football games this fall. Note the large gap between the two bottom sections and the off-center meeting points of the row above.

As evident from the bottom row of bleachers at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium, support for the seating area has caused a significant shift in the alignment of the arrangement, which has Graham County Schools exploring other venues to play “home” football games this fall. Note the large gap between the two bottom sections and the off-center meeting points of the row above.

Big Oaks football unlikely this fall

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Robbinsville – ‘This should be good,’ quipped Graham County Board of Education Chair Rodney Nelson.
Despondent, the Robbinsville Lady Knights gather in left field for the final post-game meeting of the season May 17, following their third-round playoff exit at the hands of Union Academy. Photos by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Despondent, the Robbinsville Lady Knights gather in left field for the final post-game meeting of the season May 17, following their third-round playoff exit at the hands of Union Academy. Photos by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Lady Knights' season again stopped in 3rd round

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights ran into a Division I-committed pitcher and a potent Union Academy offense in the third round of the state playoffs Wednesday, as Gracie Hollingsworth both homered and struck out 11 Robbinsville batters in a 10-1 loss on Judy Nichols Memorial Field. Robbinsville (No.
Lady Knights junior Zoie Shuler has been named the Smoky Mountain Conference's Player of the Year for the second-consecutive year. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights junior Zoie Shuler has been named the Smoky Mountain Conference's Player of the Year for the second-consecutive year. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Shuler repeats as Player of the Year

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Liz Carpenter, Honorable Mention Robbinsville – The Lady Knights' departure from the playoffs wrapped up the Smoky Mountain Conference's inclusion in the postseason race – thus summoning the release of the annual, esteemed All-Conference representatives.
Robbinsville Black Knights sophomore Isaiah Brown stands proudly between his grandfather Jody (left) and Jeremy Brown at the 1A state golf tournament, which was held at Pinehurst No. 6 between May 15-16. It was Brown's inaugural foray into statewide competition.

Robbinsville Black Knights sophomore Isaiah Brown stands proudly between his grandfather Jody (left) and Jeremy Brown at the 1A state golf tournament, which was held at Pinehurst No. 6 between May 15-16. It was Brown's inaugural foray into statewide competition.

'An amazing feeling'

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Isaiah Brown sets for an approach shot during the 1A state golf tournament last week. Pinehurst – There were a lot of positives for Isaiah Brown to take away from his first experience competing in the 1A state golf tournament.
Brock Adams: State Champion, 110- and 300-meter hurdles; 10th place, high jump. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Brock Adams: State Champion, 110- and 300-meter hurdles; 10th place, high jump. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Hurdles, jumps: oh my!

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Cuttler Adams: 5th place, 100-meter dash; 8th place, long jump Greensboro – To Brock Adams and Zoie Shuler, it was simply another day at the office: punch in, handle the task at hand and punch out. For the record books, Friday’s 1A track & field state championship meet – held at N.C.