Andrews

Landon Pollard attempts to shirk an Andrews defender Sept. 19. Elijah Kirkland (12) offers a helping hand for the cause. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Landon Pollard attempts to shirk an Andrews defender Sept. 19. Elijah Kirkland (12) offers a helping hand for the cause. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

JV Black Knights collect second win of week

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Robbinsville – After an emotionally-charged road win over Murphy on Sept. 16, one could easily understand how the JV Black Knights might have dreaded throwing pads back on for another game just three days later. But really, Robbinsville needed just 10 minutes or so to get back into its groove.

Success halted

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 5, 2024
Hayesville – The Lady Knights carried a 17-set win streak into Tuesday’s Smoky Mountain Conference showdown at Hayesville.
The Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights capped an unblemished 13-0 season by downing Cherokee 16-5 on Monday to win the conference title game. All names are listed from left. Front row: Bella Coats, Khaygen Buchanan, Loxley Burke, Daphne Barlow, Kynadee Spencer, Lexie Williams and Zeyli Williams. Back row: Assistant coach Lauren Silvers, Natalee Myers, Mylee Webster, Lakin Orr, Alyssa Bohn, Ella Nelms, Jayden Chekeleelee, Myah Winfrey and head coach Anna Stewart.

The Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights capped an unblemished 13-0 season by downing Cherokee 16-5 on Monday to win the conference title game. All names are listed from left. Front row: Bella Coats, Khaygen Buchanan, Loxley Burke, Daphne Barlow, Kynadee Spencer, Lexie Williams and Zeyli Williams. Back row: Assistant coach Lauren Silvers, Natalee Myers, Mylee Webster, Lakin Orr, Alyssa Bohn, Ella Nelms, Jayden Chekeleelee, Myah Winfrey and head coach Anna Stewart.

2 for the price of 1

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Hiwassee Dam – For one team, the championship was a foregone conclusion. For the other, it was a first. Robbinsville Middle School shipped both its baseball and softball teams to Hiwassee Dam on Monday to play in their respective de facto Smoky Mountain Conference title games.
Senior southpaw Ethan Orr tossed a complete game Friday, striking out 10 Wildcats to give Robbinsville its fifth conference win of the year. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Senior southpaw Ethan Orr tossed a complete game Friday, striking out 10 Wildcats to give Robbinsville its fifth conference win of the year. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Playoffs?

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Chase Calhoun celebrates after roping the go-ahead RBI single Friday at Andrews. Andrews – Entering spring break, the Robbinsville baseball program is in fine shape to not only break a 13-year playoff drought, but contend for a conference title.
Suri Watty connects for one of her three hits Friday. The sophomore second baseman totaled five hits, four RBI and two doubles in last week’s series with Andrews. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Suri Watty connects for one of her three hits Friday. The sophomore second baseman totaled five hits, four RBI and two doubles in last week’s series with Andrews. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Hits just keep comin’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 11, 2024
An ecstatic Sophie Roberts signals toward the dugout after reaching second on a wild pitch Friday at Andrews. The Lady Knights were fired up from the word go last week, pouring a combined 32 runs in two games against the Lady Wildcats.
There’s plenty for the Robbinsville Black Knights to smile for right now. Winners of five straight, the Knights have crept into second place in the Smoky Mountain Conference and are off to their best start in well over 20 years. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

There’s plenty for the Robbinsville Black Knights to smile for right now. Winners of five straight, the Knights have crept into second place in the Smoky Mountain Conference and are off to their best start in well over 20 years. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Mediocrity goes out the window

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Robbinsville – Every season begins with some sense of optimism. Even if a team is the flat-out pits, there’s always a bright spot to be found. Pitching is young, but will improve with reps. We’re striking out a lot, but we’re taking good cuts at the plate.

Woes of the road

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Hayesville – Try as they may, the Lady Knights could only serve one cold plate of revenge during a 3-game road trip. Robbinsville went 1-2 away from its friendly confines this week, with a season split Friday against Andrews wedged between a non-conference loss at Hiwassee Dam on Feb.
The Black Knights erupt, moments after Robbinsville’s Darion Ledbetter hit the buzzer-beating winner Friday at Andrews. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Black Knights erupt, moments after Robbinsville’s Darion Ledbetter hit the buzzer-beating winner Friday at Andrews. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Better safe than sorry

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Isiac Collins breaks away during the first half of Friday’s JV boys showdown in Andrews. Andrews – With 10 seconds left in Friday’s divisional game, Bryce Adams batted down the go-ahead jumper from Ty Clark.