Sports

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.
Lady Knights senior Yeika Jimenez drives past Cherokee’s Erin Rogers for a second-half basket on Jan. 13. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Lady Knights senior Yeika Jimenez drives past Cherokee’s Erin Rogers for a second-half basket on Jan. 13. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Just one more hill to climb

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Cherokee – There are three certainties in life: death, taxes and Cherokee plays physical basketball. However, Robbinsville (9-4, 4-1) persevered in a Jan. 13 road game with the Lady Braves nonetheless, taking its lumps en route to a significant 65-52 win.
Black Knights freshman Bryce Adams lines up a corner shot Jan. 13 at Cherokee. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Black Knights freshman Bryce Adams lines up a corner shot Jan. 13 at Cherokee. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Cashing in a win

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Cashiers – The Black Knights are having to readjust their program, a little over midway through the season. Down to eight players, Robbinsville has struggled to find its identity as of late, often faltering in the late stages of games the team seemingly had in hand.
Members of the Robbinsville High School wrestling team gather at center mat Saturday to celebrate its 2022 James Orr Invitational victory. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Members of the Robbinsville High School wrestling team gather at center mat Saturday to celebrate its 2022 James Orr Invitational victory. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Home cookin’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Robbinsville – After all its travels, the Robbinsville wrestling team finally had a chance to show off its tournament dominance on its home turf.