Sports

Black Knights senior Zane Lucksavage (seated, right) signed to wrestle for Colby Community College on May 3. Sitting with Lucksavage are father Phil (left) and mother Janelle. Standing in back is recently-retired Robbinsville head coach Todd Odom. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights senior Zane Lucksavage (seated, right) signed to wrestle for Colby Community College on May 3. Sitting with Lucksavage are father Phil (left) and mother Janelle. Standing in back is recently-retired Robbinsville head coach Todd Odom. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Full circle

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Robbinsville – After a well-traveled life, Zane Lucksavage finally has some stability to look forward to. The Black Knights senior inked a commitment to wrestle for Colby Community College (Kan.
Lady Knights senior Yeika Jimenez (seated, center) signed to play college basketball at Tennessee Wesleyan on May 5. Sitting with Jimenez is Tennessee Wesleyan Lady Bulldogs head coach Jeff Rice (left) and Robbinsville Lady Knights head coach Lucas Ford. Standing in back (from left) are brother Carson Lovin, sister Cambrie Lovin, legal guardians Brandon and Haley Lovin, and brother Luke Lovin.

Lady Knights senior Yeika Jimenez (seated, center) signed to play college basketball at Tennessee Wesleyan on May 5. Sitting with Jimenez is Tennessee Wesleyan Lady Bulldogs head coach Jeff Rice (left) and Robbinsville Lady Knights head coach Lucas Ford. Standing in back (from left) are brother Carson Lovin, sister Cambrie Lovin, legal guardians Brandon and Haley Lovin, and brother Luke Lovin.

Biting into collegiate competition

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights’ prolific power forward will carry her talents to the next level. Yeika Jimenez officially committed to play college basketball for the Tennessee Wesleyan Lady Bulldogs – an Athens, Tenn.
Prior to May 5’s season finale against Hiwassee Dam, the Robbinsville Black Knights recognized their three baseball seniors: Cole Patterson, Carson White and Kade Garrison (from left). Photo courtesy of Haylee Crisp/Robbinsville High School

Prior to May 5’s season finale against Hiwassee Dam, the Robbinsville Black Knights recognized their three baseball seniors: Cole Patterson, Carson White and Kade Garrison (from left). Photo courtesy of Haylee Crisp/Robbinsville High School

Knights miss playoff cut

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Robbinsville – A late hiccup cost the Black Knights a playoff berth.
Middle school Lady Knight Anna Williams prepares to drive the ball May 3 against Hiwassee Dam/Ranger. Williams unleashed a 3-run homer Friday, aiding Robbinsville immensely in a 20-6 drubbing of the previously-unbeaten Cherokee Lady Braves. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school Lady Knight Anna Williams prepares to drive the ball May 3 against Hiwassee Dam/Ranger. Williams unleashed a 3-run homer Friday, aiding Robbinsville immensely in a 20-6 drubbing of the previously-unbeaten Cherokee Lady Braves. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school Knights pepper Cherokee

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Cherokee – The Braves never knew what hit them. Robbinsville made the trip to Cherokee for a middle school baseball and softball tilt Friday, with both the Black Knights and Lady Knights etching respective 11-8 and 20-6 wins.
The Robbinsville Black Knights finished their 2022 season with an appearance in the regional tournament last week. From left are Cody Cline, Isaiah Brown, Trey Lambert, Turner Jackson and Dasan Gross. Photo courtesy of Jake Beasley/Robbinsville High School Golf

The Robbinsville Black Knights finished their 2022 season with an appearance in the regional tournament last week. From left are Cody Cline, Isaiah Brown, Trey Lambert, Turner Jackson and Dasan Gross. Photo courtesy of Jake Beasley/Robbinsville High School Golf

Golf season ends at regionals

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Newland – For a group that has to practice in a field, a regional berth is not too shabby.
Zoie Shuler (left) and Brock Adams were named the respective Smoky Mountain Conference Most Outstanding Track and Field Girls and Boys Athlete at the conclusion of May 4’s championship meet in Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Zoie Shuler (left) and Brock Adams were named the respective Smoky Mountain Conference Most Outstanding Track and Field Girls and Boys Athlete at the conclusion of May 4’s championship meet in Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Elite performers

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Cherokee – At the end of May 4’s Smoky Mountain Conference championship meet, it was a foregone conclusion who would be named the Most Outstanding athletes of the competition.
After May 5’s regular-season finale against Hiwassee Dam, the Robbinsville softball program recognized its eight seniors. All names are listed from left. Front row: Sarah Gibby, Baylee Parham, Aynsley Fink and Brook Turpin. Back row: Halee Anderson, Ally Ayers, Patience Frapp and Ivy Odom. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

After May 5’s regular-season finale against Hiwassee Dam, the Robbinsville softball program recognized its eight seniors. All names are listed from left. Front row: Sarah Gibby, Baylee Parham, Aynsley Fink and Brook Turpin. Back row: Halee Anderson, Ally Ayers, Patience Frapp and Ivy Odom. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights conquer Vikings

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Robbinsville – Avery County became the Lady Knights’ next victim Tuesday. That’s about all you can say about a dominant 10-0 Robbinsville win in the first round of the state playoffs, as the No.
After Tuesday’s games against Hiwassee Dam/Ranger, Robbinsville Middle School recognized its eighth-grade baseball and softball athletes. For the Lady Knights: Anna Williams (left) and Ryn Hooper. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

After Tuesday’s games against Hiwassee Dam/Ranger, Robbinsville Middle School recognized its eighth-grade baseball and softball athletes. For the Lady Knights: Anna Williams (left) and Ryn Hooper. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school Knights looking to finish strong

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 5, 2022
Robbinsville – Graham County’s middle school baseball and softball programs ended the home portion of their season in strong fashion.
Black Knights senior Kade Garrison delivers a pitch during April 11’s road game against Brevard. Garrison tossed a complete game in Robbinsville’s 8-1 win over Andrews on Friday. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Robbinsville High School

Black Knights senior Kade Garrison delivers a pitch during April 11’s road game against Brevard. Garrison tossed a complete game in Robbinsville’s 8-1 win over Andrews on Friday. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Robbinsville High School

Livin’ on a prayer

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 5, 2022
Hiwassee Dam – Entering the final road game of the season Monday, Robbinsville held all the cards.
With Halee Anderson backing her up, senior Aynsley Fink fires in a throw from right-center field Monday at Hiwassee Dam. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

With Halee Anderson backing her up, senior Aynsley Fink fires in a throw from right-center field Monday at Hiwassee Dam. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Championship monopoly

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 5, 2022
Hiwassee Dam – If you are keeping track at home, that’s one goal down and two to go. The Robbinsville Lady Knights confirmed their dominance over the Smoky Mountain Conference on Monday, adding the program’s fifth-straight divisional title with a 7-3 win at Hiwassee Dam.