Sports

Robbinsville’s Bo Rattler (left) and Dasan Gross guard Cherokee’s Tso Smith during Saturday’s Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament quarterfinal game against the Braves. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Bo Rattler (left) and Dasan Gross guard Cherokee’s Tso Smith during Saturday’s Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament quarterfinal game against the Braves. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights ousted in tourney semis

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 17, 2022
Bryson City – Heading into Tuesday’s Smoky Mountain Conference tournament semifinal, Robbinsville was seemingly well on its way to making a magical run to the championship game. And for three quarters of the showdown against the hosting Swain County Maroon Devils (No.
It was another history-making night Tuesday for Robbinsville junior Desta Trammell, who shattered the state consecutive free-throw record during the semifinals of the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament against Cherokee.

It was another history-making night Tuesday for Robbinsville junior Desta Trammell, who shattered the state consecutive free-throw record during the semifinals of the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament against Cherokee.

Rewriting history

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 17, 2022
Bryson City – This is your reminder that Desta Trammell still has a full year of varsity basketball ahead. Robbinsville’s junior point guard surpassed the 1,000-point mark Jan.
Members of Robbinsville’s youth program take a moment with coaches and parents to relish their state championship victories on Feb. 5 in Advance. Shown are wrestlers (front row, from left) Bracey Wilson, Loxston Hooper, Lawton Gibby, Adair Panama and Lleyton Hooper; Benton Gibby, Braydon Lane, Andrew Adams, Kyler Branham and Mason Phillips (second row, from left).

Members of Robbinsville’s youth program take a moment with coaches and parents to relish their state championship victories on Feb. 5 in Advance. Shown are wrestlers (front row, from left) Bracey Wilson, Loxston Hooper, Lawton Gibby, Adair Panama and Lleyton Hooper; Benton Gibby, Braydon Lane, Andrew Adams, Kyler Branham and Mason Phillips (second row, from left).

Upcoming Knights win title

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 17, 2022
Advance – The 40th annual N.C. Junior High State Championship belongs to Robbinsville. Chocked full of potential – which still has time to develop – seventh-, eighth- and ninth-grade Black Knights traveled to the Rise Indoor Sports Complex on Feb.
The Snowbird Mite Boys captured the 2021-22 Smokey Mountain Youth Conference tournament championship Feb. 5, after defeating Robbinsville in the title game. All names are listed from left. Front row: Whyatt Lewis, Hayden Lewis, Elijah Kirkland, Keni Wolf, Xamuel Wachacha, Elijah Lambert, Jayce Turner, Colby Kirkland, Avery Brown and Landon Eddings. Back row: coaches Cody Teesateskie, Adam Wachacha and Zane Wachacha.

The Snowbird Mite Boys captured the 2021-22 Smokey Mountain Youth Conference tournament championship Feb. 5, after defeating Robbinsville in the title game. All names are listed from left. Front row: Whyatt Lewis, Hayden Lewis, Elijah Kirkland, Keni Wolf, Xamuel Wachacha, Elijah Lambert, Jayce Turner, Colby Kirkland, Avery Brown and Landon Eddings. Back row: coaches Cody Teesateskie, Adam Wachacha and Zane Wachacha.

Ultimate Warriors

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 17, 2022
Hiwassee Dam – It was a hotly contested nail-biter between two Graham County programs. And in the end, Snowbird prevailed. The Mite Warriors capped off a 9-1 campaign by defeating the Robbinsville Black Knights 35-31 on Feb. 5 in the finals of the Smokey Mountain Youth Conference tournament.
Members of the Robbinsville High School wrestling program gather with the 1A Western Regional Individual Runner-Up plaque, at the conclusion of the two-day tournament at Alleghany. Photos by Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

Members of the Robbinsville High School wrestling program gather with the 1A Western Regional Individual Runner-Up plaque, at the conclusion of the two-day tournament at Alleghany. Photos by Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

More action, more titles

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 17, 2022
Sparta – It won’t be long before Robbinsville will have to construct an addition to its wrestling facility … just for an awards room.
After being denied in the outdoor track finals last spring, Robbinsville Lady Knights sophomore Zoie Shuler finally stood atop the podium Friday, following her 1A/2A long jump state championship victory in Winston-Salem. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

After being denied in the outdoor track finals last spring, Robbinsville Lady Knights sophomore Zoie Shuler finally stood atop the podium Friday, following her 1A/2A long jump state championship victory in Winston-Salem. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

As easy as 1, 2, 3

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 17, 2022
Winston-Salem – Zoie Shuler leapt into the record books Friday.
Xander Wachacha takes center stage during Feb. 3's home victory over Cherokee. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Xander Wachacha takes center stage during Feb. 3's home victory over Cherokee. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Variable outcome

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Andrews – After allowing a scant 19 points in the first half, Robbinsville’s offense could not get into a tempo in the second half. Meanwhile, Andrews had no problem finding the basket after its return from the locker room. The end result?

Finishing strong

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Robbinsville – The second time around, the Lady Knights made sure to definitively put the game out-of-reach early.
Robbinsville senior Jayden Nowell hooks the left arm of Swain County’s Owen Craig during the 132-pound bout of the Feb. 2 third round, dual-team championship match in Bryson City. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Jayden Nowell hooks the left arm of Swain County’s Owen Craig during the 132-pound bout of the Feb. 2 third round, dual-team championship match in Bryson City. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights fall in Western Regional finals

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Bryson City – It was not the way things had hoped to go. Robbinsville (No. 1 seed, 22-2) knocked off Smoky Mountain Conference foe Swain County (No. 5, 18-4) in the third round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s Dual-Team Championship Tournament on Feb.
Robbinsville’s indoor track team bundled up and showed off at the Feb. 2 Smoky Mountain Conference championship meet in Cherokee. Kneeling in front (from left): Montana Buchanan, Haize Moore and Caylin Lunsford. Standing (from left): Caden Lail, Roman Jones, Kensley Phillips, Zoie Shuler, Delaney Brooms, William Cable and Zeb Stewart. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s indoor track team bundled up and showed off at the Feb. 2 Smoky Mountain Conference championship meet in Cherokee. Kneeling in front (from left): Montana Buchanan, Haize Moore and Caylin Lunsford. Standing (from left): Caden Lail, Roman Jones, Kensley Phillips, Zoie Shuler, Delaney Brooms, William Cable and Zeb Stewart. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

By the numbers

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Cherokee – Numbers might have dwindled, but Robbinsville is still sending a fearsome foursome to the state indoor track meet Friday. Coming off an impressive showing at the Smoky Mountain Conference championship meet Feb.