Sports

Lady Knights junior Yeika Jimenez (20) closes in on a kill attempt during Monday’s season opener against Rosman. Note athletes on both sides wearing masks, thanks to a recent mandate handed down by the N.C. High School Athletic Association. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights junior Yeika Jimenez (20) closes in on a kill attempt during Monday’s season opener against Rosman. Note athletes on both sides wearing masks, thanks to a recent mandate handed down by the N.C. High School Athletic Association. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Welcome back, Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 19, 2020
Robbinsville – Socially-distanced benches. Masks obscuring the faces of players. A limit of 25 spectators in a high school gymnasium.
Robbinsville’s Maggie Knight (seated, center) signed her letter of intent to play softball at Chattanooga State on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Sitting with Maggie is father Billy and mother Joanne Knight. Standing in back (from left) are cousin Alex Knight, aunt Angie Knight, and grandparents Randy and Velvie Knight. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Maggie Knight (seated, center) signed her letter of intent to play softball at Chattanooga State on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Sitting with Maggie is father Billy and mother Joanne Knight. Standing in back (from left) are cousin Alex Knight, aunt Angie Knight, and grandparents Randy and Velvie Knight. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Earning her stripes

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 19, 2020
Robbinsville – Another Knight is taking her talents to the next level. Senior backstop Maggie Knight inked a scholarship to play college softball with the Chattanooga (Tenn.) State Tigers, which plays in the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association. “I’m extremely excited,” Knight said.
The 2020-21 Robbinsville High School cross-country team consists of (from left): Sully Shanahan, Zeb Stewart, William Cable, Ava Barlow, Xander Wachacha, Phoenix Brooks and Hayden Stewart. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The 2020-21 Robbinsville High School cross-country team consists of (from left): Sully Shanahan, Zeb Stewart, William Cable, Ava Barlow, Xander Wachacha, Phoenix Brooks and Hayden Stewart. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Black Knights off to the races

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 19, 2020
* Robbinsville cross-country season preview Robbinsville – No excuses here. When the Robbinsville High School cross-country program hits the course for its first meet after press time Wednesday, the Knights will return just one girl and six boys from last year’s campaign.
The 2020-21 Robbinsville Lady Knights are (front row): Gabby Hooper (left) and Karcee Dooley. Standing in back (from left) are Aubrie Wachacha, Kelsey Waldroup, Dallas Garrett, Yeika Jimenez, head coach Kadey Phillips, Kensley Phillips, Ivy Odom and Ally Ayers. Not pictured are Halee Anderson, Delaney Brooms and assistant coach Dede Brooms. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The 2020-21 Robbinsville Lady Knights are (front row): Gabby Hooper (left) and Karcee Dooley. Standing in back (from left) are Aubrie Wachacha, Kelsey Waldroup, Dallas Garrett, Yeika Jimenez, head coach Kadey Phillips, Kensley Phillips, Ivy Odom and Ally Ayers. Not pictured are Halee Anderson, Delaney Brooms and assistant coach Dede Brooms. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights ready to joust

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 12, 2020
* Robbinsville volleyball season preview It was a year unlike any other.
Fontana Dam resident Jon Hodgson was all smiles Monday morning, as he trekked up N.C. 28 to begin the second portion of a triathlon. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Fontana Dam resident Jon Hodgson was all smiles Monday morning, as he trekked up N.C. 28 to begin the second portion of a triathlon. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Iron Jon

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Fontana Dam – A 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run? In the same day? No sweat for 24-year-old Fontana Dam resident Jon Hodgson.
Robbinsville’s Ivy Odom (front) and Kensley Phillips work through a drill at a July 23 workout. Knights volleyball and cross-country will begin their 2020-21 season next month, but COVID-19 restrictions will keep spectators at a minimum. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Ivy Odom (front) and Kensley Phillips work through a drill at a July 23 workout. Knights volleyball and cross-country will begin their 2020-21 season next month, but COVID-19 restrictions will keep spectators at a minimum. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Spectators limited for fall sports

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 22, 2020
Raleigh – An Oct. 15 announcement from the N.C. High School Athletic Association confirmed what many had feared: sports will begin next month, but crowds will be sparse. In the release, the association maintained its desire to mirror both advice from the N.C.

State increases number of meets for runners

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Raleigh – If running is your main prerogative in high school athletics, you now have four more chances to showcase your stamina. The N.C. High School Athletic Association issued a press release Tuesday afternoon, indicating that a Sept.
“The Rock” – an indoor softball facility – cannot be located on a map, but you can pinpoint much of Robbinsville’s success on the diamond to the hours spent putting in reps at the building. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

“The Rock” – an indoor softball facility – cannot be located on a map, but you can pinpoint much of Robbinsville’s success on the diamond to the hours spent putting in reps at the building. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Secret to success

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 27, 2020
Robbinsville – If you want to trace the recent uptick in success for Lady Knights’ softball, it all starts downtown. For the past 2 ½ years, Brian “Petey” Millsaps has operated “The Rock,” an indoor softball facility.
Right at home while sitting at the edge of the mat, George Oliver waves to spectators before the start of a Robbinsville match. The co-founder of the Black Knights’ wrestling program passed away Aug. 5. Photos by Jenny Millsaps/The Graham Star

Right at home while sitting at the edge of the mat, George Oliver waves to spectators before the start of a Robbinsville match. The co-founder of the Black Knights’ wrestling program passed away Aug. 5. Photos by Jenny Millsaps/The Graham Star

Goodbye, Papa George

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 20, 2020
Robbinsville – Without George Oliver, who knows where the Robbinsville High School wrestling program would be today? Oliver – who, along with Gary Steppe, instituted the now-powerhouse Black Knights grappling team 45 years ago – passed away Aug. 5 at age 68.
How the 2020-21 calendar will look for Robbinsville athletics, barring more changes. Graphic by Tina Sheldon/The Graham Star

How the 2020-21 calendar will look for Robbinsville athletics, barring more changes. Graphic by Tina Sheldon/The Graham Star

Taking the good with the bad

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 20, 2020
Que Tucker’s announcement was music to athletes’ ears. After months of speculation, the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s commissioner presented during a Aug. 12 press conference a proposed sports calendar for the 2020-21 school year.