Sports

Robbinsville senior Gabby Hooper (right) looks to outpace Murphy’s Kaiya Pickens during Saturday’s third-round playoff matchup. Photo by Montana Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville senior Gabby Hooper (right) looks to outpace Murphy’s Kaiya Pickens during Saturday’s third-round playoff matchup. Photo by Montana Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Lady Knights fall in sectional final

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 4, 2021
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights held all the cards: home-court advantage, two wins over their opponent earlier this year and a wave of momentum coming off a huge road victory Feb. 25. But it was not meant to be. Robbinsville (No. 8 seed, 15-2) fell 49-37 to the visiting Murphy Lady Bulldogs (No.
Turner Jackson (1) pulls away from some heavy Rosman pressure during Robbinsville’s 56-6 win over the Tigers on Feb. 25. Jackson emerged as the Black Knights’ leading rusher in the victory, tallying 71 yards on just five carries. Photos by Montana Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Turner Jackson (1) pulls away from some heavy Rosman pressure during Robbinsville’s 56-6 win over the Tigers on Feb. 25. Jackson emerged as the Black Knights’ leading rusher in the victory, tallying 71 yards on just five carries. Photos by Montana Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Back at work

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 4, 2021
Robbinsville – They scored early and they scored often. In the end, the Robbinsville Black Knights began their quest to successful defend the 1A state title with a 56-6 victory over Rosman.  The game ended a 14-month layoff for Robbinsville football, which had last suited up Dec.

Knights drop finale to Bulldogs

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 26, 2021
Murphy – Heading into the Feb. 18 regular-season finale, Robbinsville needed a win to stay in the playoff race. However, the Black Knights (8-6, 6-6) fell behind early on the road at Murphy and were unable to bounce back, dropping a 64-54 affair to the Bulldogs.

And ... on to Round 2!

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 26, 2021
Robbinsville – Two Lady Knights hit 10 3’s. The defense took care of the rest. Robbinsville (14-1, No. 8 seed) trounced the visiting Chatham Charter (8-3, No. 9) Lady Knights 78-41, thanks largely to a 33-point game from Desta Trammell and a 15-point night by Kensley Phillips, both sophomores.
With Carlos Wesley (56) running interference, senior quarterback Nathan Collins takes off on a keeper during Saturday’s scrimmage at Smoky Mountain. Photos by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

With Carlos Wesley (56) running interference, senior quarterback Nathan Collins takes off on a keeper during Saturday’s scrimmage at Smoky Mountain. Photos by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

They’re ready

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 26, 2021
Sylva – The transition from the hardwood to the gridiron seemed almost seamless.
Robbinsville's Kensley Phillips (24) and Gabby Hooper (3) kick off the victory celebration as the official signals the end of the Lady Knights' 72-60 comeback win at East Surry on Thursday night. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville's Kensley Phillips (24) and Gabby Hooper (3) kick off the victory celebration as the official signals the end of the Lady Knights' 72-60 comeback win at East Surry on Thursday night. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights hit the road for playoffs

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights held all the cards: home-court advantage, two wins over their opponent earlier this year and a wave of momentum, coming off a huge road victory Feb. 25. But it was not meant to be. Robbinsville (No. 8 seed, 15-2) fell 49-37 to the visiting Murphy Lady Bulldogs (No.
Robbinsville Lady Knight players and staff gather to celebrate the program's first Smoky Mountain Conference title since 2010, clinched tonight with a 67-50 win at Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville Lady Knight players and staff gather to celebrate the program's first Smoky Mountain Conference title since 2010, clinched tonight with a 67-50 win at Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Mission accomplished

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Murphy – For the first time since 2012, the Robbinsville Lady Knights can add "Smoky Mountain Conference Champions" to their resume.
Jeb Shuler puts up a first-half jumper against Swain County on Friday. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Jeb Shuler puts up a first-half jumper against Swain County on Friday. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Knights fall victim to near-miss in home finale

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Robbinsville – It was the shot every basketball player dreams of making: the game-winning 3, at the final buzzer.
Robbinsville senior Gabby Hooper (center, seated) signed her letter of intent to play college softball with Brevard on Monday. Sitting with Hooper are parents Gabe and Crystal Hooper. Standing in back (from left) are brother Loxston Hooper, grandparents Clayton and Lana Hooper, sister Delaney Hooper, grandparents Patricia and Donald Cable, and brother Lleyton Hooper. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Gabby Hooper (center, seated) signed her letter of intent to play college softball with Brevard on Monday. Sitting with Hooper are parents Gabe and Crystal Hooper. Standing in back (from left) are brother Loxston Hooper, grandparents Clayton and Lana Hooper, sister Delaney Hooper, grandparents Patricia and Donald Cable, and brother Lleyton Hooper. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Putting a new spin on her career

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Robbinsville – Make that two Lady Knights in three months that have opted to take their softball talents to the next level. Senior Gabby Hooper put her name on the dotted line with Brevard College on Monday, joining Maggie Knight (Chattanooga State) as Robbinsville’s two signees this school year.
Amid heavy pressure from Swain County, Quinn Jumper eyes the bucket during a loss to the Maroon Devils on Feb. 11. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Amid heavy pressure from Swain County, Quinn Jumper eyes the bucket during a loss to the Maroon Devils on Feb. 11. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Dreams dashed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Robbinsville – Hopes of another conference title for Robbinsville’s middle school boys basketball squad were swiftly erased on Feb. 11. The Black Knights (9-2) fell behind early against Swain and were unable to rally, dropping a 46-43 game to the Maroon Devils.