Robbinsville

As part of a statewide initiative, Robbinsville Elementary School teacher Robin Welker will travel to the Netherlands this summer. Photo courtesy of Latesha Wiggins/Graham County Schools

As part of a statewide initiative, Robbinsville Elementary School teacher Robin Welker will travel to the Netherlands this summer. Photo courtesy of Latesha Wiggins/Graham County Schools

Broad horizons

Latresa Phillips
Friday, March 14, 2025
Robbinsville – Third grade teacher Robin Welker is brushing up on her Dutch.  As one of the Global Leaders recognized by the state of North Carolina, the language will come in handy in June – when she and other Global Leaders across the state will travel to the Netherlands.

Middle school splits openers

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Robbinsville – The next generation of varsity stars began their baseball and softball seasons by hosting Swain County on Tuesday. The Black Knights fell in a 15-10 slugfest on Loudon Orr Memorial Field, while the Lady Knights fanned the Lady Devils 10-0 at P & J Field.
Rylen Orr was named the Opening Day starter for the Robbinsville Black Knights in Feb. 27’s season debut at Towns County, Ga. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Rylen Orr was named the Opening Day starter for the Robbinsville Black Knights in Feb. 27’s season debut at Towns County, Ga. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights begin season with tough losses

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Benton Gibby fires the ball from the warning track during Monday’s home opener against Towns County. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star Hiawassee, Ga.
Naomi Taylor delivers a pitch during Tuesday’s season opener against Polk County. The senior hurler finished the game with 10 strikeouts. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Naomi Taylor delivers a pitch during Tuesday’s season opener against Polk County. The senior hurler finished the game with 10 strikeouts. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights zing Wolverines in season debut

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Robbinsville – Strong hitting combined with strong pitching to create a resounding season opener for Robbinsville softball Tuesday. Hosting the previously-undefeated Polk County Lady Wolverines, the Lady Knights delivered a quick dose of reality to the visitors with a four-run first inning.
Lady Knights freshman Zaelyn Phillips evades Murphy’s Cayla Geer for a lay-up attempt during Feb. 15’s conference-tournament quarterfinal. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights freshman Zaelyn Phillips evades Murphy’s Cayla Geer for a lay-up attempt during Feb. 15’s conference-tournament quarterfinal. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights eliminated by Union Academy

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Monroe – After three quarters of tightly-knit basketball, Robbinsville’s varsity girls were unable to suppress Union Academy’s main weapon any longer. Only trailing 40-36 at the dawn of the fourth, senior guard Ranon Suttle scored 11 of the Lady Cardinals’ 22 points in the final segment.
Robbinsville senior Roman Jones tries to shirk a Bradford Prep defender while charging toward the basket during Tuesday’s first-round playoff game. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville senior Roman Jones tries to shirk a Bradford Prep defender while charging toward the basket during Tuesday’s first-round playoff game. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Black Knights fall to Bradford Prep Bears

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Bryce Adams pushes a shot over the defense of Andrews’ Ty Clark and Kegan Ellis in the second half of Saturday’s conference-tournament finale. Adams ended his basketball tenure with the Knights as the program’s all-time leading scorer. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.
Moments after the final buzzer sounded Saturday, JV Black Knights Xamuel Wachacha (3), Tucker Jones (5), Bam Nelms (1) and Eli Lambert (2) begin to celebrate Robbinsville’s Smoky Mountain Conference tournament-title victory. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Moments after the final buzzer sounded Saturday, JV Black Knights Xamuel Wachacha (3), Tucker Jones (5), Bam Nelms (1) and Eli Lambert (2) begin to celebrate Robbinsville’s Smoky Mountain Conference tournament-title victory. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

How sweet it is!

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Hayesville – A first-quarter lead slipped away and by the beginning of the fourth quarter, seemed out-of-reach. The JV Black Knights were not going to let their season end on such a sour note. Instead, Robbinsville (No.
Loxston Hooper, Skyler Anderson and Adair Panama (from left) each conquered their respective brackets during the individual state tournament, bringing home three more gold medals for the reputable Black Knights’ wrestling program. Photo courtesy of Brooke Haney/Robbinsville Wrestling

Loxston Hooper, Skyler Anderson and Adair Panama (from left) each conquered their respective brackets during the individual state tournament, bringing home three more gold medals for the reputable Black Knights’ wrestling program. Photo courtesy of Brooke Haney/Robbinsville Wrestling

Tenacious Trio

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Greensboro – The 31st, the 32nd and 33rd individual state wrestling champions in Robbinsville wrestling history had one thing on their minds when they jogged onto the floor of the First Horizon Coliseum: vindication. Each of them were visibly emotional when they got it.