Robbinsville

Over 20 participants sprinted full speed into Lake Santeetlah on Saturday, as part of the annual “Polar Plunge.” Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Over 20 participants sprinted full speed into Lake Santeetlah on Saturday, as part of the annual “Polar Plunge.” Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Cooler than the flip side of the pillow

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 8, 2024
Lake Santeetlah – Like an attempt to sell ice to an eskimo, good luck convincing the participants that Saturday’s “Polar Plunge” might be the warmest one ever held.

Newcomers unseat incumbents

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 8, 2024
Robbinsville – Entering Tuesday’s primary election, there was just one guarantee at the local level: a new commissioner, with incumbent Keith Eller not seeking re-election this year.
Darion Ledbetter turns to fire a second-half attempt Tuesday against North Stokes. Thanks to the Vikings, Robbinsville’s season came to an early halt in the first round of the state playoffs. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Robbinsville High School

Darion Ledbetter turns to fire a second-half attempt Tuesday against North Stokes. Thanks to the Vikings, Robbinsville’s season came to an early halt in the first round of the state playoffs. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Robbinsville High School

Black Knights fail in conquest to down Vikings

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 1, 2024
Robbinsville – The visitors came out swinging Tuesday, opening a 10-0 lead before the Black Knights mustered their first response. However, Robbinsville (No. 16 seed, 16-8) was unable to recoup the cost of the early rush from North Stokes (No.
Robbinsville senior Delaney Brooms unloads a 3-point attempt over the defense of Hayesville’s Emma Ashe during Feb. 20’s meeting in the semifinals of the conference tournament. The Knights and Jackets were paired together in the first round of the playoffs exactly one week later, with Hayesville pulling away late to advance in the postseason race. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Delaney Brooms unloads a 3-point attempt over the defense of Hayesville’s Emma Ashe during Feb. 20’s meeting in the semifinals of the conference tournament. The Knights and Jackets were paired together in the first round of the playoffs exactly one week later, with Hayesville pulling away late to advance in the postseason race. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights unable to recreate playoff magic

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 1, 2024
Hayesville – It was the fourth time this year that Robbinsville had drawn the Lady Jackets as its opponent. The Lady Knights made the trek to Clay County on Tuesday to face their conference rival in the first round of the state playoffs. Robbinsville (No.
Zoie Shuler committed to play softball at the University of Tennessee in the offseason. She will spend her senior year as a Robbinsville Lady Knight, proving why the Vols requested her talents.

Zoie Shuler committed to play softball at the University of Tennessee in the offseason. She will spend her senior year as a Robbinsville Lady Knight, proving why the Vols requested her talents.

Lady Knights hoping experience, youth will mean state gold

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 1, 2024
Memory Frapp enters her senior year as the Lady Knights’ go-to hurler. She fanned 108 batters last season.  Robbinsville – They have power, youthful exuberance and one of the most experienced lineups in the program’s history, top to bottom.

Black Knights attempting to break through ceiling

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 1, 2024
Robbinsville – It seems to be an overarching narrative at the outset of each Black Knights baseball season: could this be the year Robbinsville qualifies for the playoffs? The drought stretches back to 2011, but Robbinsville is focused on the here and now – not the years gone by.
A suspected 30 grams of meth was found when officers raided a home in Robbinsville on Friday. Photo courtesy of Graham County Sheriff's Office

A suspected 30 grams of meth was found when officers raided a home in Robbinsville on Friday. Photo courtesy of Graham County Sheriff's Office

30 grams of suspected meth seized in raid

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 1, 2024
Billy Jack Heinzer Robbinsville – Officers struck paydirt Friday, when a 5-month investigation resulted in a large amount of suspected methamphetamine being discovered at a local residence. Around 8:47 p.m.
Save for a local chiropractor using the space to provide services, this portion of the county-owned building at 21 S. Main St. has remained vacant since late-August. It was revealed Monday that urgent care would be back open inside the facility to serve residents later this year. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Save for a local chiropractor using the space to provide services, this portion of the county-owned building at 21 S. Main St. has remained vacant since late-August. It was revealed Monday that urgent care would be back open inside the facility to serve residents later this year. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Urgent matter resolved

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 1, 2024
Robbinsville – For months, Graham County has lacked the availability of local urgent care. A deal announced Monday afternoon hopes to correct the issue – once and for all.
Adair Panama, 1A state finalist, 113 pounds. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Adair Panama, 1A state finalist, 113 pounds. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

9 simple rules for winning a state title

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Greensboro – What does it mean to be a “champion?” Simply defined in the Oxford Dictionary, the term credits an individual as “a person who has defeated or surpassed all rivals in a competition, especially in sports.” Heading into this year’s N.C.
Black Knights senior Donovan Carpenter keys in on a first-half jumper during the regular-season finale Feb. 13 at Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights senior Donovan Carpenter keys in on a first-half jumper during the regular-season finale Feb. 13 at Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Upsets joust Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Cherokee – You never know how the chips may fall once you reach the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament. Both of Robbinsville’s boys teams were afforded the No.