Sports

The Robbinsville Black Knights gather with the 2025-26 Smoky Mountain Conference Traditional Tournament championship trophy, which they won Jan. 22 at Cherokee. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

The Robbinsville Black Knights gather with the 2025-26 Smoky Mountain Conference Traditional Tournament championship trophy, which they won Jan. 22 at Cherokee. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Different tournament, same result

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Cherokee – The Black Knights continue to be the standard bearer in Smoky Mountain Conference wrestling. After mowing through the divisional duals, Robbinsville carved up the competition in the conference’s traditional tournament at Cherokee on Jan. 22.
Robbinsville's Aaliyah Wolfe (left) keeps a watchful eye on Cherokee's Dvdaya Swimmer during Friday's conference road game. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville's Aaliyah Wolfe (left) keeps a watchful eye on Cherokee's Dvdaya Swimmer during Friday's conference road game. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights cruise to 1st conference win

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Robbinsville – After suffering through some heartbreakers and tough competition, the Lady Knights collected their first divisional victory of the season Tuesday.
Black Knights point guard Luke Lovin splits a pair of Cherokee defenders, who can only look on in amazement as the senior glides through the air for a basket attempt during Friday's conference road game. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights point guard Luke Lovin splits a pair of Cherokee defenders, who can only look on in amazement as the senior glides through the air for a basket attempt during Friday's conference road game. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights win 10th game of season

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Robbinsville put the memory of its first conference loss in the rearview mirror Tuesday, knocking off Rosman (1-12, 0-5) at home 66-33. The victory improved the Black Knights to 10-3 (3-1 in divisional play), which solidifies Robbinsville's fifth-straight 10-win season.
Adair Panama takes down Tuscola's David Levi Wood during the 120-pound finals of Saturday's James Orr Invitational. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Adair Panama takes down Tuscola's David Levi Wood during the 120-pound finals of Saturday's James Orr Invitational. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville wins James Orr Invitational

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 22, 2026
A pair of familiar faces stood tall at the conclusion of Saturday's James Orr Invitational.
The Robbinsville Black Knights went 5-0 at Saturday's Smoky Mountain Conference Duals Tournament to capture the divisional championship. Photo by Cannon Crompton/Cherokee Scout

The Robbinsville Black Knights went 5-0 at Saturday's Smoky Mountain Conference Duals Tournament to capture the divisional championship. Photo by Cannon Crompton/Cherokee Scout

Black Knights capture duals championship

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Senior Adair Panama secured his 200th career victory during Saturday’s conference duals.
Black Knights head coach Jake Beasley (center, kneeling) talks strategy with his team, shortly before the second half of Jan. 8's road game against Highlands gets underway. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights head coach Jake Beasley (center, kneeling) talks strategy with his team, shortly before the second half of Jan. 8's road game against Highlands gets underway. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights back on winning streak

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Highlands – The first half of Jan. 8's trip to the Plateau was a shocker, both on paper and to the fans in attendance.
Zaelyn Phillips pulls down one of her team-best 12 rebounds during Jan. 8's overtime, road victory against Highlands. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Zaelyn Phillips pulls down one of her team-best 12 rebounds during Jan. 8's overtime, road victory against Highlands. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights win overtime thriller

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Highlands – In the very definition of a "roller-coaster ride," Robbinsville came out on the winning end. Even if it took an extra quarter of basketball to cinch the victory.

Middle school basketball ends regular season with wins

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
McKynlee Adams unloads a 3-pointer during Dec. 18's home game versus Andrews. Adams tallied 23 in Monday's road win over Rosman. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com Rosman – After a 17-day layoff, the Knights returned to the court for the final game of the regular season.

Knights carve through slate

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
While other programs enjoyed the Christmas break, Robbinsville wrestling continued to celebrate its 50th anniversary by doing what it does best: hitting the road for quality competition. Between a quad match at Tuscola on Dec.
Lady Knights senior Abby Wehr looks to evade the interior defense of Andrews' Alexis Beasley during Friday's clash. The following evening at Smoky Mountain, Wehr delivered a 30-point performance for Robbinsville in a victory over the Mustangs. Photo by Cannon Crompton/Cherokee Scout

Lady Knights senior Abby Wehr looks to evade the interior defense of Andrews' Alexis Beasley during Friday's clash. The following evening at Smoky Mountain, Wehr delivered a 30-point performance for Robbinsville in a victory over the Mustangs. Photo by Cannon Crompton/Cherokee Scout

Wehr dusts Mustangs for 30

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Abby Wehr made sure that Robbinsville's first conference loss of the season didn't linger for long. One night removed from a tough 55-46 road loss to Andrews, the Lady Knights senior unleashed a 30-point showcase at Smoky Mountain on Saturday.