Sports

Sports delayed ... again

Kevin Hensley
Friday, August 14, 2020
High school athletes statewide had Sept. 1 circled on their calendars. That was the day the N.C. High School Athletic Association had anticipated moving forward with the 2020-21 sports season. However, Gov. Roy Cooper’s announcement on Aug.

Robbinsville recognizes athletic award winners

Kevin Hensley
Friday, August 7, 2020
Robbinsville High School was unable to have its annual sports awards banquet. Instead, a recently released YouTube video appeared on the school’s Digital Media page, with athletic director Dee Walsh recognizing the 2019-20 award winners.

Sports allowed to move into Phase 2

Kevin Hensley
Friday, July 31, 2020
Raleigh – In what can only be viewed as an encouraging sign, the N.C. High School Athletic Association announced Tuesday that sports can move into “Phase 2.” This comes on the heels of Gov. Roy Cooper declaring that schools can return for in-person instruction, beginning Monday, Aug. 17.
Robbinsville Termite Black Knight Braylon Phillips weaves through the Copper Basin, Tenn., defense during a Sept. 28, 2019 showdown. The Smokey Mountain Youth Conference announced the cancelation of the 2020 football and cheerleading seasons on June 16. Photo courtesy of Jenny Millsaps

Robbinsville Termite Black Knight Braylon Phillips weaves through the Copper Basin, Tenn., defense during a Sept. 28, 2019 showdown. The Smokey Mountain Youth Conference announced the cancelation of the 2020 football and cheerleading seasons on June 16. Photo courtesy of Jenny Millsaps

Youth football, cheer season cancelled

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 25, 2020
It is a move all involved were hoping to avoid. The 2020 Smokey Mountain Youth Conference football and cheerleading seasons were officially canceled on June 16.
Robbinsville senior Rylee Anderson breaks the plane for one of his five 1A state championship game touchdowns on Dec. 14. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Rylee Anderson breaks the plane for one of his five 1A state championship game touchdowns on Dec. 14. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Black Knights win two more, for the road

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 18, 2020
Asheville – Much like everything else, the COVID-19 pandemic eliminated the possibility of holding the 59th Western North Carolina Sports Awards.
Judy Nichols Memorial Field – home of the Robbinsville High School Lady Knights – was set to host a team that very well could have contended for a state championship this season. New seating was installed behind home plate and improvements were made field-wide in preparation for the year, but the cancelation of the remainder of the school year is going to leave seniors school-wide wondering, “What if?" Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Judy Nichols Memorial Field – home of the Robbinsville High School Lady Knights – was set to host a team that very well could have contended for a state championship this season. New seating was installed behind home plate and improvements were made field-wide in preparation for the year, but the cancelation of the remainder of the school year is going to leave seniors school-wide wondering, “What if?" Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Spring sports season cancelled

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Following the statewide closure of K-12 public schools for the remainder of the 2019-20 year Friday, the N.C. High School Athletic Association quickly made a difficult decision.

Big inning dooms Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Bryson City – Entering the fifth inning of the final Robbinsville sporting event for the foreseeable future, things were knotted at 0-0. The Black Knights broke the deadline in the top of the frame and seemed poised to take command as the game entered the bottom of the fifth.