Sports

Williams dubbed ‘Foard Tough’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Newton – There is no level of competition that has conquered Kage Williams this season. Now at a healthy 25-0, Williams continued his quest to have another wing constructed at his homestead Saturday, collecting the Most Outstanding Wrestler distinction at the annual Fred T.
The Robbinsville Middle School wrestling team gathers to celebrate its 2022-23 Smoky Mountain Conference tournament championship Dec. 15, moments after winning the title on their home mat.

The Robbinsville Middle School wrestling team gathers to celebrate its 2022-23 Smoky Mountain Conference tournament championship Dec. 15, moments after winning the title on their home mat.

Middle school captures conference-tournament title

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Robbinsville – When your varsity program secures 11 state champions over the last two seasons, the excitement generated is bound to trickle down the food chain. The remainder of the decade is seemingly in good hands for Robbinsville wrestling.
Zirriyah Wachacha drives to the basket Dec. 5 against Cherokee. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Zirriyah Wachacha drives to the basket Dec. 5 against Cherokee. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights again tame Cats

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Andrews – In its only action of the week, Robbinsville Middle School once again swept its Cherokee-County neighbors. A quick Dec. 8 zip to Andrews netted the middle-school girls a 34-26 win over the Wildcats, with the middle-school boys picking up a 33-30 triumph.
The Robbinsville Black Knights pause to celebrate their second-straight Falcon Frenzy victory Saturday.

The Robbinsville Black Knights pause to celebrate their second-straight Falcon Frenzy victory Saturday.

Black Knights again conquer Falcon Frenzy

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Hendersonville – For the second-straight season, Robbinsville wrestling stood atop the Falcon Frenzy standings. The two-day tournament – held each year at West Henderson High School – concluded Saturday, with Robbinsville posting 176 team points to wrap up the championship.
Robbinsville’s Liz Carpenter (23) and Kensley Phillips slow down the drive of North Buncombe’s Peyton Whitson on Friday. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville’s Liz Carpenter (23) and Kensley Phillips slow down the drive of North Buncombe’s Peyton Whitson on Friday. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Blackhawks clip Lady Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Robbinsville – The chips simply did not fall in the Lady Knights’ favor. In what evolved into a back-and-forth tussle, Robbinsville (3-2, 0-1) incurred its first loss of the season Friday, dropping a 47-46 heartbreaker to the North Buncombe Blackhawks.
Senior point guard Brock Adams (right) breaks away from a North Buncombe defender in the first half of Robbinsville’s double-overtime win over the Blackhawks on Friday. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Senior point guard Brock Adams (right) breaks away from a North Buncombe defender in the first half of Robbinsville’s double-overtime win over the Blackhawks on Friday. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

2x the pleasure; 2x the fun

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Robbinsville – In the end, the Black Knights would not be denied. With a perfect season on the line, Robbinsville and North Buncombe were tied 57-57 late in Friday’s non-conference clash.

2nd-half woes doom Knights

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 9, 2022
Robbinsville – With 1:30 left before halftime, Tucker Jones drove into the paint and put up a floater that sank through the basket, giving the middle school Black Knights a 25-24 lead over Cherokee. From that point forward, Robbinsville scored just 15 more points in the game.
Robbinsville senior Willie Riddle locks horns with Franklin’s Chase Browning during the Nov. 30 home dual against the Panthers. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville senior Willie Riddle locks horns with Franklin’s Chase Browning during the Nov. 30 home dual against the Panthers. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

‘The ‘Ville’ off to 10-1 start

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 9, 2022
Robbinsville – The only surefire way to ensure improvement from start to finish is to get in as many live-action reps as possible. Back for his fourth stint as the Black Knights’ head coach, David Haney has packed Robbinsville’s 2022-23 schedule with a wide variety of competition.
Cuttler Adams examines the Eastern Randolph defense in the third round of the 1A playoffs on Nov. 18. Adams was recently afforded the distinction of Co-Smoky Mountain Conference Back of the Year. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Cuttler Adams examines the Eastern Randolph defense in the third round of the 1A playoffs on Nov. 18. Adams was recently afforded the distinction of Co-Smoky Mountain Conference Back of the Year. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Adams named Co-Back of the Year

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 9, 2022
Robbinsville – With all Smoky Mountain Conference teams out of the playoff race, the division has released its annual All-Conference listings.
Xander Wachacha searches for an open player during Nov. 30’s season opener against Smoky Mountain. Wachacha’s 19 points led the Black Knights in an overtime win over the Mustangs, before the junior guard unloaded a team-best 22 points against Highlands on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Xander Wachacha searches for an open player during Nov. 30’s season opener against Smoky Mountain. Wachacha’s 19 points led the Black Knights in an overtime win over the Mustangs, before the junior guard unloaded a team-best 22 points against Highlands on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Knights make thrilling return to court

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 9, 2022
Robbinsville – If the season debut was any indication of things to come, Black Knights’ fans are in for another non-stop thrill ride this year. Robbinsville jumped ahead 20-10 over the Smoky Mountain Mustangs in Nov. 30’s opener, before falling behind 43-37 by the end of the third.