Sports

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.
Members of the Robbinsville wrestling program pose with the 2021 Devil Duals trophy, after the Knights conquered the field Dec. 22. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Members of the Robbinsville wrestling program pose with the 2021 Devil Duals trophy, after the Knights conquered the field Dec. 22. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The ‘Ville: not paid by the hour

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Bryson City – It was just another day at the office for the Black Knights. Robbinsville (10-1) buzzed through Franklin, Madison, Hayesville, Enka and the hosting Swain County Maroon Devils at the annual Devil Duals on Dec. 22, collecting their third trophy in as many weeks.
Members of the Robbinsville wrestling program pose with the 2021 Great Smoky Mountain Grapple tournament championship after Saturday's triumph in Asheville. The Knights have won two tournaments in a row. Photo courtesy of Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

Members of the Robbinsville wrestling program pose with the 2021 Great Smoky Mountain Grapple tournament championship after Saturday's triumph in Asheville. The Knights have won two tournaments in a row. Photo courtesy of Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

Peak performance

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Asheville – Whether it be in a dual format or a team tournament, Robbinsville is dangerous. The Knights continued to decorate their 2021-22 season Friday and Saturday, competing in the Great Smoky Mountain Grapple at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center.
Members of the Robbinsville Middle School wrestling program celebrate the Knights’ 2021-22 Smoky Mountain Conference tournament championship, after the team clinched the crown Dec. 15 at Swain County. Photo courtesy of Crystal Hooper/Contributing Photographer

Members of the Robbinsville Middle School wrestling program celebrate the Knights’ 2021-22 Smoky Mountain Conference tournament championship, after the team clinched the crown Dec. 15 at Swain County. Photo courtesy of Crystal Hooper/Contributing Photographer

Kings of the hill

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Bryson City – It has been a most-interesting season for the Robbinsville Middle School wrestling team.
Lady Knights senior Halee Anderson makes a hard cut past the defense of Murphy’s Lailee Holloway during Tuesday’s road game. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights senior Halee Anderson makes a hard cut past the defense of Murphy’s Lailee Holloway during Tuesday’s road game. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Second-half woes

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Murphy – It certainly wasn’t the outcome the Lady Knights were hoping for.
Members of the Robbinsville Black Knights erupt in celebration at the final buzzer Tuesday, which cemented a 68-64 Robbinsville victory at Murphy. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Members of the Robbinsville Black Knights erupt in celebration at the final buzzer Tuesday, which cemented a 68-64 Robbinsville victory at Murphy. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights win dogfight

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Murphy – In a game that literally came right down to the wire, Robbinsville came out on top. In the final 30 seconds of Tuesday’s varsity-boys clash at Murphy, Donovan Carpenter, Xander Wachacha and Brock Adams each hit key baskets that helped hold off the Bulldogs in a thrilling 68-64 victory.
Robbinsville’s Xander Wachacha launches one of his three, late buckets from outside the arc Friday against Smoky Mountain. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville’s Xander Wachacha launches one of his three, late buckets from outside the arc Friday against Smoky Mountain. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Mad scramble falls short

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 16, 2021
Robbinsville – It is often stated that the final score does not always tell the whole story. For the Robbinsville Black Knights, Friday’s 70-64 loss to the Smoky Mountain Mustangs contains many layers – namely, a 32-point fourth quarter, after trailing 34-20 at halftime.
Carlos Wesley (56) receives some recognition from Zeke Silvers (1) during Robbinsville’s first-round playoff game against Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy on Nov. 5. Wesley was named the Smoky Mountain Conference Player of the Year. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Carlos Wesley (56) receives some recognition from Zeke Silvers (1) during Robbinsville’s first-round playoff game against Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy on Nov. 5. Wesley was named the Smoky Mountain Conference Player of the Year. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Wesley named Lineman of the Year

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 16, 2021
Robbinsville – After making such a name for himself over his varsity career, it was long overdue for Carlos Wesley to get the recognition he deserved.