Sports

Senior Lathan Buchanan was named an All-Smoky Mountain Conference Honorable Mention. Photo courtesy of Maria Shook Photography

Black Knights trio named All-Conference

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Robbinsville – With the Hayesville Yellow Jackets incurring a stunning 5-2, second-round playoff loss at the hands of Eastern Randolph on Friday, the Smoky Mountain Conference’s postseason-participation wrapped up. As such, the division announced its 2023 All-Conference team.

Prior to May 11’s game against Copper Basin, Tenn., Robbinsville Middle School recognized its 8th-grade baseball players. From left are Cody Crisp, Zander Davis, Tucker Jones and Slade Freeman. Not pictured are Levi Roberts and Sawyer Hogsed. Photo courtesy of Adam Brooks/Robbinsville Middle School Baseball

Middle school wraps up baseball, softball seasons

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Robbinsville – It was certainly a unique finish for Robbinsville Middle School’s baseball and softball programs this year. The Black Knights stampeded the Martins Creek Hornets 20-2 on May 10, securing their first win of the season in the penultimate game of the campaign.

Newly-appointed Graham County Department of Health Director Donna Stephens announced that plans are being explored to renovate the former Green’s Foodway into a new fitness center. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Local fitness center discussed

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Tallulah – One universal consensus between residents is that a fitness center in Graham County is desperately needed. Donna Stephens agrees – and is looking to make the dream a reality.

Brock Adams: 1A Western Regional Champion, 110- and 300-meter hurdles; State Qualifier, high jump. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

6 Knights qualify for state title meet

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Valdese – There is just one more obstacle standing between six Robbinsville athletes and statewide immortality. A top-4 finish (or better) meant Brock Adams, Cuttler Adams, Claire Barlow, Kadence Howell, Kensley Phillips and Zoie Shuler all punched their tickets to the N.C.

The home bleachers at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium are crumbling underneath, forcing the Graham County Board of Education to act swiftly and announce a temporary closure Monday afternoon. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Structural integrity of stadium bleachers forces temporary closure

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Robbinsville – With just nine days remaining before the first of two year-end events set to be held at Modeal Walsh Memorial Stadium for Robbinsville High School, the Graham County Board of Education received some unsettling news.

Robbinsville’s Fala Welch, Ryn Hooper, Anna Williams, Aubrie Wachacha, Olivia Lewis and Abby Adams (from left) celebrate after the tying run scored in the bottom of the second of May 11’s playoff game against Elkin. Photos by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Elks bucked out of postseason

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Robbinsville – The Lady Knights were subjected to a scrappy dogfight in round two of the state playoffs, hosting the No. 19-seeded Elkin Buckin’ Elks on May 11. Robbinsville ultimately prevailed 6-4, in a game that reads like the truest definition of a “team” win.

Freshman Lady Knight Anna Williams turns on a pitch during May 11's home playoff game against Elkin. Photo by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Lady Knights continue postseason run

Kevin Hensley

Tuesday, May 16, 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 senior Desta Trammell was named as the 2023 Wells Fargo Advisors/Aiken, Meyer, Whatley Division II Female Athlete of the Year, Major Sport at Sunday’s WNC Sports Awards Banquet. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Shuler, Trammell honored as best in WNC

Kevin Hensley

Monday, May 15, 2023

Asheville – Sunday’s 61st WNC Sports Awards Banquet simply confirmed to the rest of Western North Carolina what the Knights’ fanbase already knew: Zoie Shuler and Desta Trammell are two of the most elite athletes to ever wear a Robbinsville uniform.

Knights fall in finale

Kevin Hensley

Monday, May 15, 2023

Hayesville – The 2023 Robbinsville High School baseball season will always be the year remembered for a near-miraculous turnaround.

Haden Key signed to play football at Brevard College on May 3. Sitting with Key are his mother Joanna and coach Wren Millsaps. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Key opens next door

Kevin Hensley

Monday, May 15, 2023

Robbinsville – Perhaps the most important players on the gridiron rarely get the recognition they so richly deserve.