Sports

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.
Yeika Jimenez had a team-high 16 points in the Lady Knights’ 55-38 win over Swain on Friday. Photo by Montana Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Yeika Jimenez had a team-high 16 points in the Lady Knights’ 55-38 win over Swain on Friday. Photo by Montana Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

On the cusp of glory

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 18, 2021
  Andrews – Every win this season has came down to this.
Robbinsville Middle School’s Roman Jones eyes a basket during a home game against Murphy on Jan. 25. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville Middle School’s Roman Jones eyes a basket during a home game against Murphy on Jan. 25. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

And down the stretch they come!

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Rosman – Who is going to stop the Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights? Road victories over the last week at Hiwassee Dam/Ranger, Hayesville and Rosman have everyone in the Smoky Mountain Conference asking that question.

Down, but not out

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Robbinsville – Tuesday’s 62-47 home victory was crucial. Not only was it the Robbinsville Black Knights’ (7-4, 5-4) first win over the Cherokee Braves (6-4, 5-4) since Jan. 27, 2017 – a 53-50 home triumph – but it also moved Robbinsville solely into third place in the Smoky Mountain Conference.