Sports

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.

'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

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.

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.