Sports

Hooper, Panama win Grapple

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 26, 2025
Facing schools from across the Southeast, two Robbinsville wrestlers proved they were in a class of their own. The Great Smoky Mountain Grapple is an annual, two-day attraction at Harrah's Cherokee Center in Asheville.
In-between games Dec. 18, Robbinsville Middle School recognized its eighth-grade basketball players. From left are Lady Knights Parklyn Anderson, Calin Gladden, Lakin Orr and Black Knights Kamden Driver, Brayden Allison, David Guzman, Landon Silvers, Carsan Snider, Micah York, Jaxon Blundell and Channing Jones.

In-between games Dec. 18, Robbinsville Middle School recognized its eighth-grade basketball players. From left are Lady Knights Parklyn Anderson, Calin Gladden, Lakin Orr and Black Knights Kamden Driver, Brayden Allison, David Guzman, Landon Silvers, Carsan Snider, Micah York, Jaxon Blundell and Channing Jones.

Middle school boys trounce Eagles, Wildcats

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 26, 2025
Robbinsville Middle School's boys closed out the home portion of their season on a high note. In a pair of games – where the outcomes were never in doubt – the 10-3 Black Knights routed Hiwassee Dam 64-44 in a make-up contest Dec.
Brooklyn Lester speaks to the Lady Knights during a timeout at Copper Basin on Dec. 1. Robbinsville’s new varsity girls head coach has dove into the role with purpose, hoping to restore the program as a centerpiece in the community. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Brooklyn Lester speaks to the Lady Knights during a timeout at Copper Basin on Dec. 1. Robbinsville’s new varsity girls head coach has dove into the role with purpose, hoping to restore the program as a centerpiece in the community. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lester begins new role as Lady Knights coach

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 19, 2025
Robbinsville – Just when the search for a new Robbinsville girls basketball coach appeared to be closed, the job suddenly became open yet again.
Members of the Robbinsville Black Knights fight back tears of disappointment Dec. 11, after being handed the 1A state runner-up trophy following a 9-8 loss in the championship game to Wilson Preparatory Academy. From left are Kyzik Teesateskie, Luke Lovin, Ryelon Waldroup, John Dominguez, Dane Daniels, head coach Lucas Ford, Kellen Ensley, Isiac Collins and Kasen Buchanan. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Members of the Robbinsville Black Knights fight back tears of disappointment Dec. 11, after being handed the 1A state runner-up trophy following a 9-8 loss in the championship game to Wilson Preparatory Academy. From left are Kyzik Teesateskie, Luke Lovin, Ryelon Waldroup, John Dominguez, Dane Daniels, head coach Lucas Ford, Kellen Ensley, Isiac Collins and Kasen Buchanan. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights fall in state title game

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 19, 2025
The box score from Dec. 11, 2025's 1A state championship game between Wilson Preparatory Academy and Robbinsville. Chapel Hill – Heartbroke. That's the only way to describe the sentiment on Robbinsville's side of the field inside UNC's Kenan Stadium on Dec.
Members of the Robbinsville Black Knights address the media during Thursday's 1A state championship, post-game press conference. From left are head coach Lucas Ford, Isiac Collins, Kellen Ensley and Luke Lovin. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Members of the Robbinsville Black Knights address the media during Thursday's 1A state championship, post-game press conference. From left are head coach Lucas Ford, Isiac Collins, Kellen Ensley and Luke Lovin. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights fall in 1A title game

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Chapel Hill — Robbinsville's quest for a 16th state championship ended in heartbreak Thursday afternoon, as the Black Knights fell 9-8 to the Wilson Preparatory Academy Tigers in the 1A title game.

Robbinsville boys win Osley B. Saunooke Tournament

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 11, 2025
A lot of grit led up to Robbinsville picking up its first tournament victory of the season Saturday. Boosted by five, first-place finishers, the Black Knights tallied 190 team points to clinch the Osley B. Saunooke Tournament championship at Cherokee High School.
Freshman point guard Zayleigh Chekelelee releases a halftime buzzer-beater attempt during Robbinsville's season opener at Copper Basin on Dec. 1. Chekelelee scored 17 in the Lady Knights' home debut Friday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Freshman point guard Zayleigh Chekelelee releases a halftime buzzer-beater attempt during Robbinsville's season opener at Copper Basin on Dec. 1. Chekelelee scored 17 in the Lady Knights' home debut Friday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights tame Bobcats in home opener

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Robbinsville – The home debut of the varsity basketball program Friday can only be viewed as a rousing success. Welcoming Blue Ridge School, the Lady Knights improved to 1-1 with a 51-19 victory in the opener.
Teammates mob Robbinsville Middle School's Mercy Nelms (center) on Dec. 4, moments after Nelms hit a three-pointer at the final buzzer to cement a 42-34 home victory over Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Teammates mob Robbinsville Middle School's Mercy Nelms (center) on Dec. 4, moments after Nelms hit a three-pointer at the final buzzer to cement a 42-34 home victory over Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle schoolers sweep opposition

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Robbinsville – Things are clicking at the right time for the middle school basketball program.
The Robbinsville Black Knights gather for the final home, post-game chat of the 2025 season Nov. 28, moments after clinching the 1A Western Regional title on Bob Colvin Field at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Black Knights gather for the final home, post-game chat of the 2025 season Nov. 28, moments after clinching the 1A Western Regional title on Bob Colvin Field at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights vie for 16th championship

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
* 1A state title game preview Chapel Hill – By the time many of you open your mailbox, Robbinsville's state-championship fate will have already been determined.
Middle school Black Knight Brayden Allison soars past a Cherokee defender Nov. 17. Allison hit a game-winning lay-up for Robbinsville on Monday at Hayesville. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school Black Knight Brayden Allison soars past a Cherokee defender Nov. 17. Allison hit a game-winning lay-up for Robbinsville on Monday at Hayesville. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school boys hit winning streak

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 5, 2025
It took some last-second heroics, but the middle school Black Knights were able to swat the Yellow Jackets. After dropping the season opener 46-21 to Hayesville on Nov. 3, Robbinsville (6-2) found itself in a nailbiter in the return showdown Monday.