Sports

The Robbinsville Black Knights gather for a celebratory photo after winning the June 10 regular-season finale in Hayesville 12-6. The win ended the Yellow Jackets’ undefeated season. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Black Knights gather for a celebratory photo after winning the June 10 regular-season finale in Hayesville 12-6. The win ended the Yellow Jackets’ undefeated season. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Giant slayers

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Hayesville – Full of emotion, Robbinsville senior Jeb Shuler made an astute observation after the June 10 upset over the then-No. 1 ranked 1A team in North Carolina.  “They didn’t really have anything to play for. We did.”  He hit the nail on the head.
Kyle Fink has North Henderson’s Felix Montiel in a compromising position during the 195-pound bout of June 3’s “Battle of the Knights.” Fink would pin Montiel in the second period. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Kyle Fink has North Henderson’s Felix Montiel in a compromising position during the 195-pound bout of June 3’s “Battle of the Knights.” Fink would pin Montiel in the second period. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

“The Ville” set to host conference tournament

Kevin Hensley
Friday, June 11, 2021
Robbinsville – The "Battle of the Knights" went to the visitors. Unfortunately, Robbinsville was the host. The Black Knights (16-4) dropped their only match of the week June 3, a 39-28 dual to North Henderson.
Cole Patterson makes sure that Cavan Reed’s clever attempt to avoid the tag is unsuccessful, during Tuesday’s home, regular-season finale against Cherokee. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Cole Patterson makes sure that Cavan Reed’s clever attempt to avoid the tag is unsuccessful, during Tuesday’s home, regular-season finale against Cherokee. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Have bats, will score

Kevin Hensley
Friday, June 11, 2021
Robbinsville – In a miraculous transformation, the Knights came out of a 20-minute rain delay Tuesday to score eight runs. Robbinsville (6-7, 6-7) trailed Cherokee 2-1 in the bottom of the second, when a weather delay halted the game.
Jayden Nowell maintains top control over West Henderson’s Cody Eplee during Saturday’s home dual with the Falcons. Nowell would go on to cinch career win No. 101 in the bout. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Jayden Nowell maintains top control over West Henderson’s Cody Eplee during Saturday’s home dual with the Falcons. Nowell would go on to cinch career win No. 101 in the bout. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Hard-earned reward

Kevin Hensley
Friday, June 11, 2021
Robbinsville – Henry Portela is a name that Robbinsville’s Jayden Nowell will never forget.
Robbinsville’s Jayden Nowell cinches in a hammerlock on Enka’s Damien Maxwell during a 132-pound bout May 15. The Knights will host the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament next week. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Jayden Nowell cinches in a hammerlock on Enka’s Damien Maxwell during a 132-pound bout May 15. The Knights will host the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament next week. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights shutout Braves

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 3, 2021
Cherokee – The only opposition that stood in the way of Robbinsville last week was swiftly toppled. The Black Knights (13-3) traveled to Cherokee for a conference dual May 26 and between a litany of forfeits and four pinfall victories, thwarted the Braves’ hopes in an 84-0 win.
Despite the pleas of Rosman’s Andrew Stamey, Robbinsville’s Hunter Jones swipes up after applying the tag on a 2-5 caught stealing Tuesday, which ended the bottom of the first. The Knights went on to drop the game to the Tigers, 6-1. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Despite the pleas of Rosman’s Andrew Stamey, Robbinsville’s Hunter Jones swipes up after applying the tag on a 2-5 caught stealing Tuesday, which ended the bottom of the first. The Knights went on to drop the game to the Tigers, 6-1. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Game suspended due to rain

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 3, 2021
Robbinsville – The Knights were well on their way to their fifth win of the season. Mother Nature seemingly had other plans. With Robbinsville (4-6, 4-6) ahead 11-3 in the bottom of the third Friday against Swain County (4-5, 4-5), another pop-up shower began to fall at Loudon Orr Memorial Field.
Robbinsville’s Greylon Orr (left) looks to turn the second leg of a double play Friday against Hiwassee Dam. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Greylon Orr (left) looks to turn the second leg of a double play Friday against Hiwassee Dam. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Knights split home slate

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Robbinsville – Entering Tuesday’s game against Murphy, the Black Knights had lofty expectations. And why not? Robbinsville (4-5, 4-5) was coming off a redeeming, 7-1 victory over Hiwassee Dam (1-7, 1-7) on Friday and had won four of its last five.
A crack monitor measures the expansion around the foundation of Robbinsville Elementary School’s gymnasium. The facility has been closed since late February, when Graham County School officials began to notice the floor was beginning to shift. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

A crack monitor measures the expansion around the foundation of Robbinsville Elementary School’s gymnasium. The facility has been closed since late February, when Graham County School officials began to notice the floor was beginning to shift. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Gym foundation source of major concern

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Robbinsville – Some three months after the discovery of a potentially hazardous situation, Graham County School officials remain baffled.
Robbinsville freshman Zoie Shuler eyes a throw to first base during April 28’s home game against Rosman. Shuler led the Lady Knights this season with 25 defensive assists. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville freshman Zoie Shuler eyes a throw to first base during April 28’s home game against Rosman. Shuler led the Lady Knights this season with 25 defensive assists. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

7 Lady Knights get All-Conference nod

Kevin Hensley
Friday, May 21, 2021
With the conclusion of the 2021 high school softball season occurring over the weekend, the Smoky Mountain Conference has released its All-Conference list. As expected, the line-up is full of Robbinsville Lady Knights.
Avery Webster connects for an RBI single during the May 13 win over Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Avery Webster connects for an RBI single during the May 13 win over Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights thump Cherokee in season finale

Kevin Hensley
Friday, May 21, 2021
Robbinsville – The middle school Black Knights finished their abbreviated season on a high note Friday, knocking off visiting Cherokee 19-6. “I’m happy that this group got to finish their season at home, with a win,” said Robbinsville head coach Tommy Adams. “They deserve it.