Sports

Prior to Tuesday’s dual against Cherokee, Robbinsville wrestling recognized its nine seniors. All names are listed from left. Kneeling: Ben Wachacha, Carlos Wesley, Zane Lucksavage and Jacob Hall. Standing: Jayden Nowell, Kyle Fink, manager Ivy Odom, Aynsley Fink and Jaret Panama. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Prior to Tuesday’s dual against Cherokee, Robbinsville wrestling recognized its nine seniors. All names are listed from left. Kneeling: Ben Wachacha, Carlos Wesley, Zane Lucksavage and Jacob Hall. Standing: Jayden Nowell, Kyle Fink, manager Ivy Odom, Aynsley Fink and Jaret Panama. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

“The ‘Ville” now ranked No. 1

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Robbinsville – This far into the 2021-22 season, one question lingers: is there anyone that can stop Robbinsville? The No. 1-ranked team in 1A started its latest tear with a 70-6 victory in the annual “Battle of the Knights” at North Henderson on Jan. 5.
Prior to Monday’s game, Robbinsville Middle School recognized the 8th-grade members of its basketball program. All names are listed from left. Front row: Anna Williams, Katie Lyn Gross, Lady Knights manager Jernie Greene, Maleah Cox and Abby Wehr. Back row: Luke Lovin, Dane Knott, Isiac Collins, Tillman Adams, Owen Blevins, Dane Daniels, Kyzik Teesateskie, Benny Moose, Tyler Patton, Javian Blair and Kasen Buchanan. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Prior to Monday’s game, Robbinsville Middle School recognized the 8th-grade members of its basketball program. All names are listed from left. Front row: Anna Williams, Katie Lyn Gross, Lady Knights manager Jernie Greene, Maleah Cox and Abby Wehr. Back row: Luke Lovin, Dane Knott, Isiac Collins, Tillman Adams, Owen Blevins, Dane Daniels, Kyzik Teesateskie, Benny Moose, Tyler Patton, Javian Blair and Kasen Buchanan. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights roll in home finale against Hornets

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Robbinsville – From the opening tip, it was all Black Knights. In a boys-only showcase against the Martins Creek Hornets on Monday, Robbinsville (8-4) finished the home slate of its season with a 67-7 victory.
Robbinsville’s Donovan Carpenter focuses on a second-half bucket during Friday’s 51-44 loss to Hayesville. Photos by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville’s Donovan Carpenter focuses on a second-half bucket during Friday’s 51-44 loss to Hayesville. Photos by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Black Knights fall to Blackhawks, Jackets

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Robbinsville – The Knights had the right game plan for Friday’s tilt with Hayesville: neutralize Jake McTaggart.
Desta Trammell airs out an inside shot Friday against Robbinsville. The junior point guard put up 25 against the Lady Jackets, surpassing the 900-point career threshold in the Lady Knights’ 64-38 win. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Desta Trammell airs out an inside shot Friday against Robbinsville. The junior point guard put up 25 against the Lady Jackets, surpassing the 900-point career threshold in the Lady Knights’ 64-38 win. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Split bill

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Robbinsville – Through four Smoky Mountain Conference games this season, the varsity Lady Knights have outscored their opponents 237-133. Behind a 25-point performance from junior point guard Desta Trammell on Friday night, Hayesville rapidly became the latest Robbinsville foe to fall.
Robbinsville senior Aynsley Fink gets her hand raised Dec. 30, after winning the women’s 106-pound bracket at the annual Holy Angels showcase in Charlotte. Photo by Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

Robbinsville senior Aynsley Fink gets her hand raised Dec. 30, after winning the women’s 106-pound bracket at the annual Holy Angels showcase in Charlotte. Photo by Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

Lady Knight wins national tournament

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 7, 2022
Charlotte – There was an unnecessary delay before the inevitable. Aynsley Fink paced the mat back-and-forth, simply awaiting the cue to jog to the middle of the circle, shake hands with her adversary and begin the finals of the 106-pound women’s bracket at the Holy Angels Invitational.
Robbinsville junior Kensley Phillips splits a pair of Tellico Plains defenders Dec. 30. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville junior Kensley Phillips splits a pair of Tellico Plains defenders Dec. 30. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Knights right the ship

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 7, 2022
Robbinsville – Needless to say, things fell in place for the Lady Knights on Tuesday.
Senior Kamdyn Jordan puts up a floater during Dec. 30’s home victory over Tellico Plains, Tenn. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Senior Kamdyn Jordan puts up a floater during Dec. 30’s home victory over Tellico Plains, Tenn. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Down to the wire

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 7, 2022
Robbinsville – Say what you will about the Black Knights, but they sure leave fans on the edge of their seats in the closing minutes of a game. Such was the case Tuesday night, when a spirited rally bid fell short against the visiting Andrews Wildcats, who held on to knock off Robbinsville 56-53.
Chloe Adams (14) looks to outpace the Swain County defense during the second half of Dec. 16’s game. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Chloe Adams (14) looks to outpace the Swain County defense during the second half of Dec. 16’s game. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights split matchups

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Robbinsville – Even when the middle school Black Knights are not at full strength, they are still dangerous. Robbinsville (7-4) was without perennial shooting guard Dane Knott for its Dec.
Robbinsville point guard Brock Adams takes flight during Tuesday’s 55-52 road loss to Tellico Plains. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville point guard Brock Adams takes flight during Tuesday’s 55-52 road loss to Tellico Plains. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Bearers of bad news

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Tellico Plains, Tenn. – Things just never quite clicked for the Robbinsville basketball program Tuesday. A 4-game road slate in Tellico Plains ended with each Knights team on the losing end of the score column, though the varsity boys game literally came down to the wire.