Sports

Robbinsville lefty Ethan Orr prepares to deliver a pitch against Stilwell, Okla., on March 15. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville lefty Ethan Orr prepares to deliver a pitch against Stilwell, Okla., on March 15. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Big Indians inning dooms Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Robbinsville – Entering the top of the fourth, it seemed the Black Knights had things well in hand. Though Robbinsville (0-5, 0-2) had only produced one run to that point – when Quinn Jumper was singled home by Bryc Garrison in the second – Ethan Orr and the Knights had shut out the Stilwell (Okla.
Kensley Phillips cuts past Mitchell's Mary Beth Woody during the second half of the 1A West/Midwest All-Star Game on Saturday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Kensley Phillips cuts past Mitchell's Mary Beth Woody during the second half of the 1A West/Midwest All-Star Game on Saturday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Hey now, you’re All-Stars

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 23, 2023
It truly speaks volumes about the success of your program when you can send four players to two different showcases to end their high-school careers.
Isaiah Brown tees off on Hole No. 7 at Robbinsville’s “home” match Tuesday, which was held at Chatuge Shores Golf Course in Hayesville. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Isaiah Brown tees off on Hole No. 7 at Robbinsville’s “home” match Tuesday, which was held at Chatuge Shores Golf Course in Hayesville. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Hitting the links

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Isiac Collins watches his putt attempt approach the No. 9 hole Tuesday. Hayesville – Channel the adrenaline surge you feel each time the Black Knights score a touchdown, hit a three-pointer at the buzzer or hit the game-winning, walk-off homer.
Despite the chilly elements Robbinsville has played in recently, Memory Frapp has warmed up at the plate. The junior unleashed home runs in back-to-back games last week. Photo by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Despite the chilly elements Robbinsville has played in recently, Memory Frapp has warmed up at the plate. The junior unleashed home runs in back-to-back games last week. Photo by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

These girls can rake

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Robbinsville – Through seven games, they have outscored their foes 85-39; ran up a team average of .393 at the plate; homered five times; and have collectively posted five triples. And pundits were concerned that the Lady Knights might have an off year.
Though she did not get much of a chance to show off her arm, Robbinsville’s Presley Caylor struck out five of the eight batters she faced in the Lady Knights’ 16-0 win over Murphy on Tuesday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Though she did not get much of a chance to show off her arm, Robbinsville’s Presley Caylor struck out five of the eight batters she faced in the Lady Knights’ 16-0 win over Murphy on Tuesday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school softball prevails in season opener

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights were barely able to display the breadth of their talent in Tuesday’s season opener. In a quick 3-inning premiere, Robbinsville (1-0) toppled Murphy 16-0 on Judy Nichols Memorial Field.
Quinn Jumper looks to tag out Murphy’s Ty Laney during Monday’s road loss to the Bulldogs. Photo by Justin Fitzgerald/Cherokee Scout

Quinn Jumper looks to tag out Murphy’s Ty Laney during Monday’s road loss to the Bulldogs. Photo by Justin Fitzgerald/Cherokee Scout

Robbinsville baseball still hunting for 1st win of year

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Murphy – Three games into the 2023 slate and the Robbinsville Black Knights continue to pursue their first victory of the year.

5 athletes, 5 awards

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Robbinsville – The Black Knights were no slouch in providing the fanbase with a historic season of their own. The non-stop thrill ride included five overtime victories; a perfect 13-0 record at home (in fact, Robbinsville has not lost a home game since Jan. 7, 2022, a 51-44 loss to Hayesville.
Lady Knights senior Kensley Phillips has already sprinted to three triples in the first four games of the year. She is batting .312 this season. Photo by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Lady Knights senior Kensley Phillips has already sprinted to three triples in the first four games of the year. She is batting .312 this season. Photo by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Wild conference opener goes to Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Murphy – After Tuesday’s duel in Cherokee County, the Lady Knights Fast Pitch Softball Facebook page posted this quick update about the outcome, which might be the most apt descriptor of the proceedings: “A-maybe-not-so-pretty-but-thankful-to-have-a-win kind of game today.
Lady Knights senior Desta Trammell was recently announced as the 2022-23 Smoky Mountain Conference Girls Player of the Year – her second time earning the distinction. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights senior Desta Trammell was recently announced as the 2022-23 Smoky Mountain Conference Girls Player of the Year – her second time earning the distinction. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Pursuit of her Destanee: complete

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Liz Carpenter, Sophomore, All-Conference ​​​ Robbinsville – What else can be written about Desta Trammell? She has grown up loving the sport of basketball. The competitiveness. The tenacity. The skill. The discipline. The ups. The downs.

Black Knights falter early in season opener

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Canton – Before Robbinsville could manufacture a reply, the Black Bears had clawed ahead 10-0. The Knights certainly hoped for a better start to their season, but head coach Brent Icenhower noted several positives after a 5-inning, 12-2 loss to Pisgah (1-1) on Tuesday.