Robbinsville

Dean Castaldo and his arson companion Dante (right) present a Fire Prevention Class at the Graham County Public Library on Monday. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Dean Castaldo and his arson companion Dante (right) present a Fire Prevention Class at the Graham County Public Library on Monday. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Arson detection team visits Graham library

Robbinsville – A very special guest visited the Graham County Public Library on Monday, to help educate members of the 4-H Club during their first meeting of the year.  This visitor detects chemicals from two miles away, helps put arsonists in jail and once proved the FBI wrong.
The Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights pose with the 2019-20 championship tournament bracket, moments after defeating the Hiwassee Dam/Ranger Eagles to win the title on Jan. 23 in Hayesville. From left are Dane Knott, Roman Jones, Luke Lovin, Tytan Teesateskie, Donovan Carpenter, Bryce Adams, Zeke Silvers, Xander Wachacha, Quinn Jumper, Andrew Scrivner, Drake Anderson, Austin Colangelo, Hugh Forbes and Isiac Collins. Photos by Byron Housley/The Graham Star

The Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights pose with the 2019-20 championship tournament bracket, moments after defeating the Hiwassee Dam/Ranger Eagles to win the title on Jan. 23 in Hayesville. From left are Dane Knott, Roman Jones, Luke Lovin, Tytan Teesateskie, Donovan Carpenter, Bryce Adams, Zeke Silvers, Xander Wachacha, Quinn Jumper, Andrew Scrivner, Drake Anderson, Austin Colangelo, Hugh Forbes and Isiac Collins. Photos by Byron Housley/The Graham Star

Champions!

Hayesville – For the first time since 2014, Robbinsville can lay claim to the Smoky Mountain Conference Middle School Title. A 43-41 win over the Hiwassee Dam/Ranger Eagles (No. 3 West seed) Jan. 23 in Hayesville secured the Black Knights’ basketball bragging rights.

'Armed' man arrested on school grounds

Robbinsville – A 31-year-old man was arrested Friday morning, when officials say he was spotted with a weapon on school grounds. Jesse James Pratt – who gave an address of 22 Doug Sneed Garage Drive in Murphy – was spotted on the campus of Robbinsville’s Four Square Head Start around 8:29 a.m.

Black Knights reach finals

Hayesville – As expected, Robbinsville Middle School’s strong regular-season campaign cultivated high championship tournament seeding. The Black Knights (13-2) grabbed the No. 1 East seed, while the Lady Knights (10-5) were awarded the No. 2 East seed.

Redemption time is here

Andrews – Robbinsville’s chance to both avenge a loss and shake up the Smoky Mountain Conference standings awaits them. The Lady Knights (11-3, 3-3) knocked off Andrews (1-13, 0-7) on Friday, but fell to Cherokee (10-5, 5-2) on Tuesday evening. Up next is Friday, Jan.

Read between the lines

Andrews – Take one look at Robbinsville’s win/loss record and on paper, it looks like a night off for opponents. But how foolish it would be to take the Black Knights (1-11, 0-6) lightly, as the group is clicking and becoming a dangerous foe as the second-half of the season dawns.
Robbinsville’s Justin Stewart has full control of Rabun Gap, Ga.’s Aidan Loring during the 160-pound finals of Saturday’s James Orr Invitational. Stewart won the bout 3-0 to seize the bracket. Photo by Jenny Millsaps/Contributing Photographer

Robbinsville’s Justin Stewart has full control of Rabun Gap, Ga.’s Aidan Loring during the 160-pound finals of Saturday’s James Orr Invitational. Stewart won the bout 3-0 to seize the bracket. Photo by Jenny Millsaps/Contributing Photographer

Smith, Stewart win James Orr Invitational

Robbinsville – Known regionally as one of the toughest tournaments of the season, Saturday’s James Orr Invitational certainly lived up to the hype. The annual showcase – hosted by Robbinsville – brought 15 teams into Graham County, including schools from Georgia and Tennessee.

Middle school ready for tourney

Rosman – High-tournament seeding lies ahead for the Robbinsville Middle School basketball program. Following a pair of road victories at Cherokee and Rosman, the Black Knights finished the season 11-2.  Meanwhile, the Lady Knights dropped their final two games and ended the campaign 9-4.

Knights mow down division

Robbinsville – Amidst a hectic week – filled with conference matches aplenty – Robbinsville wrestling rose to the occasion. The Knights disposed of Murphy 74-6 and Hayesville 60-17 in a Cherokee County tri-match Jan. 9, before traveling to Rosman and downing the Tigers 75-6.