Robbinsville

Black Knight Lleyton Hooper secured his 100th career win at Saturday’s Enka Duals. With Hooper is assistant coach David Haney (left) and head coach Travis Hooper. Photos courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Black Knight Lleyton Hooper secured his 100th career win at Saturday’s Enka Duals. With Hooper is assistant coach David Haney (left) and head coach Travis Hooper. Photos courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Another Hooper wins 100

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Candler – In resounding fashion, Lleyton Hooper joined an esteemed chapter of Robbinsville’s storied wrestling tradition. During the opening match of Saturday’s Enka Duals, the junior grappler dominated Union (Va.) High School’s Dylan Brugger.
Friendly faces greet those who visit the Reigniting Hope Foundation, which launched last year with an initiative to help those who are homeless or have fallen into the struggles of addiction. From left are Tracey Jones, Shelby Jones, Jessica Jones and Raylon Jones. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Friendly faces greet those who visit the Reigniting Hope Foundation, which launched last year with an initiative to help those who are homeless or have fallen into the struggles of addiction. From left are Tracey Jones, Shelby Jones, Jessica Jones and Raylon Jones. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

New foundation offers ‘hope’ for those in need

Latresa Phillips
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Robbinsville – As the cold winds of winter usher in snow and bitter cold, many residents of Graham County need a safe, warm place to sleep and a nutritious meal to help them survive the cold.  The Reigniting Hope Foundation provides just that.
McKynlee Adams launches a long-range jumper Dec. 19 at Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

McKynlee Adams launches a long-range jumper Dec. 19 at Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights tame Wildcats

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Andrews – The middle school hoopsters touched the court for the final time in 2024 on Dec. 19, traveling to Andrews and emerging with a mixed bag of results. The Lady Knights (7-5) won the afternoon’s opener 45-33, while the Black Knights (5-7) dropped a 58-41 contest.
Robbinsville heavyweight Jonah Teesateskie jostles with Cherokee’s Chanttin Tramper on Dec. 18. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville heavyweight Jonah Teesateskie jostles with Cherokee’s Chanttin Tramper on Dec. 18. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Home for a holiday

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Robbinsville – Anytime the Black Knights are fortunate enough to host a wrestling match, it’s the hottest ticket in town. Known for its willingness to make long journeys just to face the best competition out there, Robbinsville (10-6) grappled on its home mats for the first time since Nov.
Robbinsville senior Kenyon Swimmer returned to action Friday at North Buncombe. Here, Swimmer keeps a watchful eye on Blackhawk Trent Clark; midway through the second, Swimmer dropped a 3-pointer that gave the Black Knights their only lead of the game in an eventual loss. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Kenyon Swimmer returned to action Friday at North Buncombe. Here, Swimmer keeps a watchful eye on Blackhawk Trent Clark; midway through the second, Swimmer dropped a 3-pointer that gave the Black Knights their only lead of the game in an eventual loss. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Blackhawks joust Black Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Weaverville – The final varsity basketball action of 2024 proved to be a tough assignment.

Fire, rescue combine forces

Marshall McClung
Thursday, December 26, 2024
The Graham County Rescue Squad and Graham County Fire Department will soon become a single unit.  Commander Jeff Millsaps announced plans for the merger at the squad’s December meeting.
Since being appointed as the Graham County Finance Officer on April 18, 2023, Stacy Carpenter has admittedly been navigating a learning curve. She addressed rumors of the county being in fiscal peril at Dec. 17’s board of commissioners meeting. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Since being appointed as the Graham County Finance Officer on April 18, 2023, Stacy Carpenter has admittedly been navigating a learning curve. She addressed rumors of the county being in fiscal peril at Dec. 17’s board of commissioners meeting. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

County answers financial rumors

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Robbinsville – Amid widespread rumors that Graham County is financially strapped, officials provided a glimpse into the current fiscal situation at Dec. 17’s board of commissioners meeting.
Latesha Orr grabs top control on Velvet Carver during Nov. 7’s scrimmage. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Latesha Orr grabs top control on Velvet Carver during Nov. 7’s scrimmage. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights honing craft

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Corryton, Tenn. – Don’t let the win/loss record fool you: the Lady Knights are making significant headway on the mat.  Robbinsville (3-8) dropped a pair of duals Dec. 10 at Gibbs High School in Tennessee, before logging more bout time Saturday at North Henderson’s Falcon Frenzy.

Bullheaded

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 19, 2024
All alone at the net, Knights senior Darion Ledbetter measures a lay-up attempt Friday against Murphy. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star Robbinsville – Despite trailing after one quarter of Friday's conference opener, the Black Knights refused to roll over and play dead.