Sports

Robbinsville’s Eli Lambert (12) splits a pair of Maroon-Devil defenders during the Black Knights’ win over Swain County on Jan. 5. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school hoops splits final slate

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Lady Knight Chloe Adams pulls away from a Swain County defender for a second-half transition basket Jan. 5. Robbinsville – Both of Graham County’s middle school basketball programs kickstarted 2023 with a bang, overcoming tight deficits to pick up a pair of home victories.

After one of his nine steals, junior shooting guard Xander Wachacha weaves between the defense of Pisgah’s Sawyer Belue (3) and Aaron Clark (back) during Monday’s loss to the Black Bears. Wachacha had 20 points in the game, 10 of which came in transition. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Boys’ lead slips away late, rally bid falls short

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Canton – The Black Knights pulled away from an early 4-4 knot and led until the fourth quarter. But the spirited effort was not enough. Coming off a tough 63-53 loss at Cocke County, Tenn.

Junior Aubrie Wachacha eyes a second-quarter basket Monday at Pisgah. Robbinsville’s center had 13 points against Cocke County, Tenn., on Friday. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville cannot thwart sharp shooters

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Newport, Tenn. – Coming off head coach Lucas Ford’s 100th win Jan. 3, the Lady Knights embarked on a pair of long road trips for non-conference action. Robbinsville (9-4) admittedly had a tough draw, facing a pair of 3A powerhouses in Cocke County, Tenn., on Friday and Pisgah on Monday.

Members of the Robbinsville High School gather around the championship plaque the Black Knights collected Saturday, after going 5-0 and winning the Enka Duals in Candler. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Check the trophy case

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Candler – If the trend continues, they might have to re-name the famed “Jet Hanger” at Enka High School, “Robbinsville’s House.” For the third time this year, the Black Knights traveled to suburban Asheville on Saturday. The task ahead?

Prior to Tuesday’s home game against Blue Ridge School, the Robbinsville Lady Knights took a moment to recognize head coach Lucas Ford, who recorded his 100th win while guiding the program Jan. 3 at Hayesville. From left are Suri Watty, Anna Williams, Anna York, Desta Trammell, Katie-Lyn Gross, Kensley Phillips, Abby Wehr, Ford, Aubrie Wachacha, Liz Carpenter, Olivia Lewis and Fala Welch. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

‘Not too shabby for a football coach’

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Robbinsville – A lot of factors have to be in the mix to create the right formula for a coach to record 100 wins.

Black Knights junior Donovan Carpenter (11) was more than willing to pull away from Brevard’s Baker Buchanan (on the floor), Tre Crite (3) and Jaylen Brown (24) on Dec. 29, after Carpenter escaped with the game-clinching steal at the buzzer. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Gifting season’s beatings

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, January 5, 2023

Sylva – One of the fun variables with a Christmas tournament is that you often play teams you are unfamiliar with. Both Veritas Christian Academy and Brevard had to learn a lesson many programs in Western North Carolina have already fell victim to: Robbinsville simply does not quit.

Robbinsville senior Kensley Phillips (right) drives past Brevard’s Shaniya Cook during Dec. 29’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Invitational appointment with the Lady Devils. The Lady Knights’ shooting guard was all over the floor in the lopsided victory, picking up her first career triple-double in the process. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Repetition is key

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, January 5, 2023

Sylva – It takes a lot of chips falling into place for any basketball player to record a triple-double. For such a polished, versatile athlete like Kensley Phillips, everything clicked from the opening tip of Dec. 29’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Invitational finale for Robbinsville.

Robbinsville junior Kage Williams picked up his 100th career win on Dec. 29 during the Holy Angels Invitational in Greensboro.

182-pound champion; 100-win resume

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, January 5, 2023

Greensboro – Two days. One hundred and 15 teams. No classifications: it really is every man for himself. So to stand out from the pack, you have to be an elite wrestler. Dominant. Quick thinking. Tough enough to persevere when a challenge does present itself.

Xander Wachacha – shown unloading a second-half 3 on Dec. 20 at Andrews – had a team-high 21 points in Robbinsville’s loss to Smoky Mountain on Tuesday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights’ 1st loss comes in tournament opener

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Sylva – One team looked like they had not missed a beat. The other struggled to shake off the holiday break. In the first day of the 2022 Smoky Mountain Christmas Invitational, the Robbinsville Black Knights could not replicate the success they had against the hosting Mustangs on Nov.

Robbinsville senior Turner Jackson dictates his Dec. 20 home bout against Hayesville’s Seth McCaslin. Jackson went on to best McCaslin in a 15-2 majority decision. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville takes 2nd at Devil Duals

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Bryson City – Entering the Christmas break, Robbinsville wrestling has already worked its way through 19 duals. The Knights’ latest foray was as a participant in the 16-team Devil Duals, an all-day showcase held at Swain County High School on Dec. 22.