Sports

Robbinsville Middle School’s Xamuel Wachacha weaves through heavy transition traffic Dec. 5 against Cherokee. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school Black Knights enter pause 7-3

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, December 22, 2022

Hayesville – With the top scorer back from a harrowing injury – and already showing flashes of brilliance – it is probably a good thing for opponents that the Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights have a Christmas break ahead. Their latest foray carried the program to Clay County on Dec.

Lady Knights senior Kensley Phillips pulls away from the defensive pursuit of Andrews’ Gracelyn Worley (22) and Demi Davis (15) on Tuesday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights back in the win column

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, December 22, 2022

Robbinsville – Fresh off losing their first conference opener since a 66-60 loss at Hayesville on Dec. 20, 2019, the Lady Knights could have felt dejected as they headed into Friday’s showdown with Murphy (1-7, 1-2). Instead, Robbinsville showed up and showed out.

Despite the best efforts of Wildcat Cameron Rattler, Robbinsville junior shooting guard Donovan Carpenter soars toward the net during Tuesday’s win over Andrews. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Who’s next?

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, December 22, 2022

Andrews – At this point, one has to wonder: just who can stop Robbinsville’s pursuit of history? Following a 52-43 triumph Tuesday at Andrews, the Black Knights are off to their best start ever: 7-0.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.