Robbinsville

With the setting sun beaming down, the Robbinsville Black Knights soak in the reality of their first Smoky Mountain Conference golf championship in 25 years. The team clinched the title Monday at Mountain Harbour Golf Course in Hayesville, at the conclusion of the two-day league tournament. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

With the setting sun beaming down, the Robbinsville Black Knights soak in the reality of their first Smoky Mountain Conference golf championship in 25 years. The team clinched the title Monday at Mountain Harbour Golf Course in Hayesville, at the conclusion of the two-day league tournament. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Swinging for state

Kevin Hensley
Friday, May 2, 2025
Hayesville – A 25-year gap in divisional championships found itself buried in the sand bunker Monday. In a commanding 46-stroke victory, Robbinsville captured its first Smoky Mountain Conference golf title since 2000 by shooting a 721 over the course of the two-day league tournament.

Meth found during stop

Kevin Hensley
Friday, May 2, 2025
Fires Creek – A pair of Robbinsville men were recently pulled over for a set of vehicle violations, but what authorities discovered proved to be a much-larger set of charges. At 6:59 p.m., April 21, a pair of Clay County deputies stopped a red Chevrolet truck at the intersection of U.S.
Members of the Robbinsville Shooting Team accept the program’s second-place trophy in hunter skills at March 16’s district tournament. From left are Murphy Shanahan, Ryan Lynn, Avery Brown and Wade Franado. Not pictured are Myley Hyde and Mason Satterfield. Photo courtesy of Cheri Lynn/Robbinsville Shooting Team

Members of the Robbinsville Shooting Team accept the program’s second-place trophy in hunter skills at March 16’s district tournament. From left are Murphy Shanahan, Ryan Lynn, Avery Brown and Wade Franado. Not pictured are Myley Hyde and Mason Satterfield. Photo courtesy of Cheri Lynn/Robbinsville Shooting Team

Shooters narrowly miss state tournament bid

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Columbus – The Black Knights barely missed the mark on qualifying for a state-competition appearance.
As part of a fundraiser, the Robbinsville Black Knights football team is selling a limited number of game-used helmets.

As part of a fundraiser, the Robbinsville Black Knights football team is selling a limited number of game-used helmets.

Game-worn helmets on sale

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Robbinsville – For a limited time, you can purchase a piece of Black Knights football history. New head coach Lucas Ford announced Friday that helmets worn by members of the Robbinsville football program were available to buy. Only 35 will be sold; the cost is $100.
Gamecocks senior Abigail Knight takes off on the basepath during March 21’s home game against Texas Tech. Photo courtesy of University of South Carolina Athletics

Gamecocks senior Abigail Knight takes off on the basepath during March 21’s home game against Texas Tech. Photo courtesy of University of South Carolina Athletics

Home-grown talent

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Of the 16 Smoky Mountain Conference titles that adorn the program's outfield scoreboard at Judy Nichols Memorial Field, Robbinsville has won the last seven in a row.

Schools facing budget woes

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Robbinsville – A combination of untimely windfalls has put Graham County Schools into dire financial straits. The federally-backed Secure Rural Schools program was not authorized by Congress before the December 2024 adjournment, even after the U.S.
Robbinsville High School students Melissa Drouin (left) and Myley Hyde launched a project last fall that recently was afforded the Rho Pharmaceuticals Innovator Award at the state science and engineering fair.

Robbinsville High School students Melissa Drouin (left) and Myley Hyde launched a project last fall that recently was afforded the Rho Pharmaceuticals Innovator Award at the state science and engineering fair.

Like peas in a pod

Latresa Phillips
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Robbinsville – The spring planting season began early for two students at Robbinsville High School.
Home run celebrations are becoming a custom for Robbinsville softball. Dreylee Webster was the latest to join the long-ball club, as she delivered a 3-run homer Monday against A.C. Reynolds. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Home run celebrations are becoming a custom for Robbinsville softball. Dreylee Webster was the latest to join the long-ball club, as she delivered a 3-run homer Monday against A.C. Reynolds. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Lady Knights continue to build legacy

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Head coach Billy Knight has a depth chart unlike any other at his disposal, led by seniors Liz Carpenter, Olivia Lewis and Taylor.
Robbinsville’s Easton Shuler (2) tries to beat the relay throw to home plate during Game 1 of April 9’s doubleheader against Franklin. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville’s Easton Shuler (2) tries to beat the relay throw to home plate during Game 1 of April 9’s doubleheader against Franklin. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Black Knights giving divisional foes fits

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 17, 2025
After returning to the postseason picture in 2024 – their first appearance since 2011 – and collecting 10 wins for the first time since 2010, the Black Knights entered 2025 with a lot of optimism.
Rescuers descend off the Appalachian Trail with an injured hiker at Yellow Creek Gap on Friday.

Rescuers descend off the Appalachian Trail with an injured hiker at Yellow Creek Gap on Friday.

Injured hiker rescued off Appalachian Trail

Marshall McClung
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Yellow Creek – For the second time in a span of 2 1/2 weeks, a hiker had to be rescued from the Appalachian Trail in Graham County. Personnel from Graham County Fire and Rescue, Stecoah Fire and Rescue, and U.S. Forest Service responded to a report of an injured hiker around 5:45 p.m., Friday.