Sports

Desta Trammell signed to play basketball at Lenoir-Rhyne University on May 3. Seated with her are mother Kimm (left) and father Ritchie. Standing in back (from left) are cousin Shayla Bush, grandmother Beverly Camden, grandfather Wesley Trammell and grandmother Lib Trammell. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Desta Trammell signed to play basketball at Lenoir-Rhyne University on May 3. Seated with her are mother Kimm (left) and father Ritchie. Standing in back (from left) are cousin Shayla Bush, grandmother Beverly Camden, grandfather Wesley Trammell and grandmother Lib Trammell. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Grin and Bear it

Kevin Hensley
Monday, May 15, 2023
Robbinsville – It was really just a formality. After all, Desta Trammell has known for years that she wanted to play for the Lenoir-Rhyne University Lady Bears, a NCAA Division II program out of Hickory. She entertained offers from six different institutions.
Brock Adams and Zoie Shuler were named the respective Male and Female Most Outstanding athletes of the 2023 Smoky Mountain Conference championship meet, which was held May 3 at Cherokee. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Brock Adams and Zoie Shuler were named the respective Male and Female Most Outstanding athletes of the 2023 Smoky Mountain Conference championship meet, which was held May 3 at Cherokee. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Against the wind

Kevin Hensley
Monday, May 15, 2023
Cherokee – Between just two Robbinsville High athletes, five total Most Outstanding Athlete of the Smoky Mountain Conference Track & Field Championship Meet distinctions exist. There was really no need to have a coaches poll at the conclusion of May 3’s meet: their results spoke for themselves.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights relish in the moment after winning their 14th Smoky Mountain Conference title Saturday at Hiwassee Dam. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Lady Knights relish in the moment after winning their 14th Smoky Mountain Conference title Saturday at Hiwassee Dam. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Legacy continues

Kevin Hensley
Monday, May 15, 2023
Lady Knights senior Kensley Phillips could not contain her excitement after donning the team’s “home run hat” Friday.
Prior to Tuesday’s home game against Hayesville, the Robbinsville Black Knights recognized their four baseball seniors. From left are Alex Knight, Lathan Buchanan, Preston Phillips and Caleb Turpin. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Prior to Tuesday’s home game against Hayesville, the Robbinsville Black Knights recognized their four baseball seniors. From left are Alex Knight, Lathan Buchanan, Preston Phillips and Caleb Turpin. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights split Senior Night appointments with Hayesville

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Robbinsville – The final home games of the regular season featured two Robbinsville programs meeting two Hayesville teams – and both in stark contrast of the other. The Lady Knights are sitting atop the Smoky Mountain Conference standings, as are the Hayesville Yellow Jackets baseball team.
Surrounded by family, Robbinsville senior Brock Adams signed to play basketball at Bryan College on Monday. Sitting with Brock are his mother Andrea and father Tommy. Standing in back (from left) are grandparents Roger and Lisa Orr; brothers, Bryce and Reece Adams; and grandparents Louise and Boyd Adams. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Surrounded by family, Robbinsville senior Brock Adams signed to play basketball at Bryan College on Monday. Sitting with Brock are his mother Andrea and father Tommy. Standing in back (from left) are grandparents Roger and Lisa Orr; brothers, Bryce and Reece Adams; and grandparents Louise and Boyd Adams. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lion’s Share of success

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Robbinsville – When a Letter of Intent is about to be signed, there is normally so much emotion that speeches are hard to come by. But much as he did his entire life as a Black Knight, Brock Adams refused to let the moment get in the way.
Junior Graylen Orr picked up his fifth win of the season Tuesday, posting a complete-game effort in Robbinsville’s 5-3 win over Hiwassee Dam. Photo by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Junior Graylen Orr picked up his fifth win of the season Tuesday, posting a complete-game effort in Robbinsville’s 5-3 win over Hiwassee Dam. Photo by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Quite a pickle

Kevin Hensley
Monday, May 1, 2023
Robbinsville – Just one week ago, the Black Knights were eyeing a return to the .500 mark. But after a tough 3-game skid ended with a victory in Game 2 of a doubleheader with Hiwassee Dam, Robbinsville is simply trying to tread water and hope for the best.
Memory Frapp, Claire Barlow and Zoie Shuler (from left) ripped a combined four homers in Friday’s 12-1 win over Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Memory Frapp, Claire Barlow and Zoie Shuler (from left) ripped a combined four homers in Friday’s 12-1 win over Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Fate rests in their hands

Kevin Hensley
Monday, May 1, 2023
Robbinsville – If Tuesday’s game is any indicator, the Lady Knights are going to have to work extra hard to retain their monopoly on the Smoky Mountain Conference championship.
All the speculation concerning where Lady Knights senior Desta Trammell would play college basketball was resolved April 11, when she announced her commitment to Lenoir-Rhyne University. Photos courtesy of Faith Trammell/Contributing Photographer

All the speculation concerning where Lady Knights senior Desta Trammell would play college basketball was resolved April 11, when she announced her commitment to Lenoir-Rhyne University. Photos courtesy of Faith Trammell/Contributing Photographer

Another college, another Trammell

Kevin Hensley
Friday, April 21, 2023
Lady Knights senior Desta Trammell officially made her choice known April 11, opting to continue her basketball career at Lenoir-Rhyne University. With Trammell is Bears assistant coach Mikayla Ray (left) and head coach Graham Smith. Hickory – Desta Trammell will play on.
Black Knights grappler Willie Riddle became the third Robbinsville wrestler to sign a letter-of-intent in a span of 28 hours April 10, opting to join the Montreat College Cavaliers. Photo by Anna Riddle/The Graham Star

Black Knights grappler Willie Riddle became the third Robbinsville wrestler to sign a letter-of-intent in a span of 28 hours April 10, opting to join the Montreat College Cavaliers. Photo by Anna Riddle/The Graham Star

Riddle solved

Kevin Hensley
Friday, April 21, 2023
Joining Willie Riddle (seated, right) when he signed to wrestle at Montreat College on April 10 were close family, including (clockwise, from Willie): father, Ben Riddle; sister, Anna Riddle; and grandmother Hettie Riddle.
Senior first baseman Lathan Buchanan recorded two doubles and drove in five runs for Robbinsville in Tuesday’s 14-3 road win over Andrews. Photo courtesy of Fala Welch/Contributing Photographer

Senior first baseman Lathan Buchanan recorded two doubles and drove in five runs for Robbinsville in Tuesday’s 14-3 road win over Andrews. Photo courtesy of Fala Welch/Contributing Photographer

Knights continue hot run

Kevin Hensley
Friday, April 21, 2023
Andrews – By the end of the week, Robbinsville could be a .500 ball club – for the first time this year. Nearly faded is the memory of the ugly 0-6 start to the campaign: since March 28, the Black Knights have amassed a 6-2 record and with return contests against Copper Basin, Tenn.