Sports

Lady Knights senior Aynsley Fink didn’t even break a sweat Saturday, as she captured her second straight N.C. High School Athletic Association Women’s Invitational State Championship in Greensboro. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights senior Aynsley Fink didn’t even break a sweat Saturday, as she captured her second straight N.C. High School Athletic Association Women’s Invitational State Championship in Greensboro. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

History repeats itself

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Greensboro – Label her as you wish: role model, trendsetter or even unstoppable. Just don't peg her as ungrateful.
Robbinsville’s Murphy Shanahan wrangles his opponent to the mat during Monday’s first-round postseason dual against Langtree Charter Academy. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville’s Murphy Shanahan wrangles his opponent to the mat during Monday’s first-round postseason dual against Langtree Charter Academy. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Bet on Black

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Robbinsville – In swift fashion, the Black Knights proved why they are the No. 1-ranked team in class 1A. Robbinsville (21-1) hosted the first and second rounds of the state dual-team championship Monday, with the Knights taking on Langtree Charter Academy (No. 29 seed) and Rosman (No.
Robbinsville’s Kensley Phillips tries to slow down the progress of Murphy’s Torin Rogers on Tuesday. Photo by Justin Fitzgerald/Cherokee Scout

Robbinsville’s Kensley Phillips tries to slow down the progress of Murphy’s Torin Rogers on Tuesday. Photo by Justin Fitzgerald/Cherokee Scout

Near miss

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights had the Bulldogs on the ropes Tuesday night. Unfortunately, some late heroics for the visitors proved costly.
Bryce Adams (10) stretches to out-rebound Highlands’ Kasen Mitchell on Jan. 20. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Bryce Adams (10) stretches to out-rebound Highlands’ Kasen Mitchell on Jan. 20. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Comeback tour continues

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Robbinsville – The Black Knights have captured lightning in a bottle. Winners of its last five games, Robbinsville (9-9, 3-4) has consistently pleaded its case for a postseason appearance, which would snap a four-year drought.
Robbinsville's Christian Phillips (right) jockeys for control with Alleghany's Cameron Worrick during Monday's second-round state dual against the Trojans. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville's Christian Phillips (right) jockeys for control with Alleghany's Cameron Worrick during Monday's second-round state dual against the Trojans. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Black Knights march toward state crown

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, February 1, 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 seed, 18-4) in the third round of the N.C.
Robbinsville’s Kensley Phillips (24) and Halee Anderson apply heavy pressure to Highlands’ Julia Schmitt during Jan. 20’s road victory. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Kensley Phillips (24) and Halee Anderson apply heavy pressure to Highlands’ Julia Schmitt during Jan. 20’s road victory. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights on 5-game tear

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Robbinsville – Set ‘em up; the Lady Knights will knock them down. Robbinsville (11-4, 5-1) has won five in a row, most recently toppling Highlands (8-8) in a Jan. 20 road game 59-29, before thrashing Swain County (6-12, 2-4) at home Tuesday, 61-44.
Donovan Carpenter rises above Highlands’ Brandon Moss for a potential basket Jan. 20. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Donovan Carpenter rises above Highlands’ Brandon Moss for a potential basket Jan. 20. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Devils purged

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Robbinsville – Never, ever count out the Black Knights. With just seven players dressed out, Robbinsville (7-9, 2-4) upended the Swain County Maroon Devils (13-6, 4-2) – who sit in second place in the Smoky Mountain Conference standings – Tuesday night, in a 56-55 thriller.
For the sixth year in a row, Robbinsville has conquered the Smoky Mountain Conference. The Knights gathered at center mat following the divisional tournament Saturday at Swain County, to relish in the accomplishments. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

For the sixth year in a row, Robbinsville has conquered the Smoky Mountain Conference. The Knights gathered at center mat following the divisional tournament Saturday at Swain County, to relish in the accomplishments. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

One title down, two to go

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Bryson City – Another day, another dollar. Another dollar, another conference championship for the Robbinsville wrestling program. For the sixth consecutive season, the Knights sit atop the Smoky Mountain Conference, after knocking off Swain County 48-18 to win the regular-season title Jan.
Junior point guard Desta Trammell scored her 1,000th career point Tuesday night against Swain County. Robbinsville head coach Lucas Ford presented Trammell with a commemorative ball after the game. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Junior point guard Desta Trammell scored her 1,000th career point Tuesday night against Swain County. Robbinsville head coach Lucas Ford presented Trammell with a commemorative ball after the game. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Trammell hits 1,000

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Robbinsville – With 2:30 left in the first quarter of Tuesday’s home game against Swain County, Lady Knights junior point guard Desta Trammell dished the ball to classmate and lifelong friend/teammate Kensley Phillips in the corner.