Sports

Middle school Lady Knight Novie Dutcher (15) breaks away from the Hayesville defense during Monday’s game. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school Lady Knight Novie Dutcher (15) breaks away from the Hayesville defense during Monday’s game. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights sting Jackets

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Robbinsville – A season-opening loss to Cherokee has long been forgotten by the middle school Black Knights.
Cuttler Adams evades the pursuit of two Cherokee defenders during Friday’s second-round playoff victory over the Braves. Adams had four rushing touchdowns in the game. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Cuttler Adams evades the pursuit of two Cherokee defenders during Friday’s second-round playoff victory over the Braves. Adams had four rushing touchdowns in the game. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Just another day at the office

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Robbinsville – The second meeting this season between the Black Knights and Cherokee Braves completely flipped the script. Robbinsville (No. 4 seed, 8-3) rode a wave of six rushing touchdowns and a stubborn defensive showcase in its quest for revenge against Cherokee (No.
Members of the Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights erupt with jubilation, moments after picking up a victory over Andrews in the closing seconds of their Nov. 4 home game. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Members of the Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights erupt with jubilation, moments after picking up a victory over Andrews in the closing seconds of their Nov. 4 home game. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The thrill of victory

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 11, 2021
Robbinsville – Through three quarters of the Nov. 4 tilt against Andrews, the Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights were held to a mere four points.
Senior lineman Carlos Wesley drops Winston-Salem quarterback Montell Austin (1) during the first half of Friday’s 66-14 first-round playoff victory over the Phoenix. Wesley had three sacks in the showcase for the Knights. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Senior lineman Carlos Wesley drops Winston-Salem quarterback Montell Austin (1) during the first half of Friday’s 66-14 first-round playoff victory over the Phoenix. Wesley had three sacks in the showcase for the Knights. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Kickin’ ashes

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 11, 2021
Robbinsville – You name it, the Black Knights probably did it. Three touchdowns in the first half from Cuttler Adams. Three interceptions – including one pick-six by Eddie Brooms – as well as three fumble recoveries and four sacks – three made by Carlos Wesley – helped Robbinsville (No.
Two-time defending 195-pound 1A state champion Kyle Fink prepares for a takedown during Saturday’s inaugural “Nothing but Neutral” tournament at Robbinsville High School. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Two-time defending 195-pound 1A state champion Kyle Fink prepares for a takedown during Saturday’s inaugural “Nothing but Neutral” tournament at Robbinsville High School. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Neutral ground

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 11, 2021
Robbinsville – An event that attracted 100 grapplers from around the tri-state area is already being heralded as a success.
Abby Wehr searches for an open option during Monday’s season opener against Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Abby Wehr searches for an open option during Monday’s season opener against Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights outpaced by Cherokee in season opener

Kevin Hensley
Friday, November 5, 2021
Robbinsville – Things got off to a rocky start for the Robbinsville Middle School basketball program this season. The Lady Knights fell 55-7 to the Cherokee Braves in Monday’s season opener, while the Black Knights were upended 58-22 in the nightcap.
Robbinsville senior Hayden Stewart gutted out the rainy conditions at Saturday’s 1A Western Regional Meet in Bryson City to finish 11th, punching his ticket to the state race. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Hayden Stewart gutted out the rainy conditions at Saturday’s 1A Western Regional Meet in Bryson City to finish 11th, punching his ticket to the state race. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lone wolf

Kevin Hensley
Friday, November 5, 2021
Bryson City – Hayden Stewart is making the most out of his senior year.
Cuttler Adams (4) leaves Hayesville’s Cameron Payne laying during Friday’s regular-season finale against Hayesville. Through eight games of his sophomore campaign, Adams has amassed 1,253 rushing yards and has found the end zone on 14 different occasions. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Cuttler Adams (4) leaves Hayesville’s Cameron Payne laying during Friday’s regular-season finale against Hayesville. Through eight games of his sophomore campaign, Adams has amassed 1,253 rushing yards and has found the end zone on 14 different occasions. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville claims 3rd straight division title

Kevin Hensley
Friday, November 5, 2021
Robbinsville – If anyone was expecting a huge celebration at the end of Friday’s game, they were sorely disappointed.
Robbinsville’s defense held Swain County to just 139 total yards of offense Tuesday night. All names are from left. Front row: Drake Hill and Eddie Brooms. Second row: Haden Key, Carlos Wesley, Carson White, Carlos Lopez and Koleson Dooley. Back row: Jacob Teesateskie, Tytan Teesateskie, Tysen Greene and Ben Wachacha. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s defense held Swain County to just 139 total yards of offense Tuesday night. All names are from left. Front row: Drake Hill and Eddie Brooms. Second row: Haden Key, Carlos Wesley, Carson White, Carlos Lopez and Koleson Dooley. Back row: Jacob Teesateskie, Tytan Teesateskie, Tysen Greene and Ben Wachacha. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

4 days, 2 games: 2 wins

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 28, 2021
  Robbinsville – Their bodies may be bruised and battered, but the Black Knights are one win away from a third-straight Smoky Mountain Conference title.
Lady Knights senior Yeika Jimenez (20) gets a fingertip on Addy Shaver’s return during Saturday’s first-round playoff match against South Stokes. Photo by Montana Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Lady Knights senior Yeika Jimenez (20) gets a fingertip on Addy Shaver’s return during Saturday’s first-round playoff match against South Stokes. Photo by Montana Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Knights fall in second round

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 28, 2021
Kernersville – The Lady Knights successful campaign came to an unexpected end Tuesday. Robbinsville (No. 12 seed, 20-4) was paired with the Bishop McGuinness Lady Villains (No.