Robbinsville

Black Knights grappler Willie Riddle became the third Robbinsville wrestler to sign a letter-of-intent in a span of 28 hours April 10, opting to join the Montreat College Cavaliers. Photo by Anna Riddle/The Graham Star

Black Knights grappler Willie Riddle became the third Robbinsville wrestler to sign a letter-of-intent in a span of 28 hours April 10, opting to join the Montreat College Cavaliers. Photo by Anna Riddle/The Graham Star

Riddle solved

Kevin Hensley
Friday, April 21, 2023
Joining Willie Riddle (seated, right) when he signed to wrestle at Montreat College on April 10 were close family, including (clockwise, from Willie): father, Ben Riddle; sister, Anna Riddle; and grandmother Hettie Riddle.
Senior first baseman Lathan Buchanan recorded two doubles and drove in five runs for Robbinsville in Tuesday’s 14-3 road win over Andrews. Photo courtesy of Fala Welch/Contributing Photographer

Senior first baseman Lathan Buchanan recorded two doubles and drove in five runs for Robbinsville in Tuesday’s 14-3 road win over Andrews. Photo courtesy of Fala Welch/Contributing Photographer

Knights continue hot run

Kevin Hensley
Friday, April 21, 2023
Andrews – By the end of the week, Robbinsville could be a .500 ball club – for the first time this year. Nearly faded is the memory of the ugly 0-6 start to the campaign: since March 28, the Black Knights have amassed a 6-2 record and with return contests against Copper Basin, Tenn.
All Smoky Mountain senior Bailey Cloer (8) could do was watch as outfielders madly attempted to field a ball driven to the outer reaches by Lady Knights senior Kensley Phillips. Phillips doubled on the second-inning drive and recorded her Knights-leading fifth triple at Andrews on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Bentley Riggs/Contributing Photographer

All Smoky Mountain senior Bailey Cloer (8) could do was watch as outfielders madly attempted to field a ball driven to the outer reaches by Lady Knights senior Kensley Phillips. Phillips doubled on the second-inning drive and recorded her Knights-leading fifth triple at Andrews on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Bentley Riggs/Contributing Photographer

‘Re-build’ ahead of schedule

Kevin Hensley
Friday, April 21, 2023
Robbinsville – This was supposed to be the rebuilding year. The Lady Knights graduated eight seniors (six of which started) and had just two when the season began – Kensley Phillips and Fala Welch. Both combined for exactly one at-bat in 2022. Sure, the core threats were still on the roster.
U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (right) meets with a pair of constituents during his “Carolina Cruiser” visit to Robbinsville on April 12. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (right) meets with a pair of constituents during his “Carolina Cruiser” visit to Robbinsville on April 12. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Cruisin’ for information

Kevin Hensley
Friday, April 21, 2023
Robbinsville – Around 15 constituents turned out for U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards’ mobile unit visit to Robbinsville on April 12. Edwards and his traveling cabinet of four set up shop in the corner of the Ingles parking lot, right at the busy intersection of N.C. 143 (Sweetwater Road) and U.S.
After 24 years of service, Wilma Carver Aiken clocked out at the Robbinsville Post Office for the last time Monday. A member of her family has worked the same route in Graham County since the 1940s. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

After 24 years of service, Wilma Carver Aiken clocked out at the Robbinsville Post Office for the last time Monday. A member of her family has worked the same route in Graham County since the 1940s. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail …

Kevin Hensley
Friday, April 21, 2023
Robbinsville – Wilma Carver Aiken could not help but smile when the cake was unveiled. “I don’t know how they did it, but this is my favorite picture,” Aiken said of the photo, which had the words “Happy retirement Wilma! We’re cheering you on!” above the memory.
It’s going to be a challenge, but Robbinsville alumni Aynsley Fink and Jayden Nowell are returning to the mat – this time, at the collegiate level. Both signed to wrestle for Ottawa (Kan.) University on Easter Sunday. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

It’s going to be a challenge, but Robbinsville alumni Aynsley Fink and Jayden Nowell are returning to the mat – this time, at the collegiate level. Both signed to wrestle for Ottawa (Kan.) University on Easter Sunday. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Putting all of their eggs into one basket

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 13, 2023
Robbinsville – While others were busy scouring the depths of their acreage for magical gifts on Easter Sunday, both Aynsley Fink and Jayden Nowell were busy making sure their wrestling aptitude would carry over to the college level.
Ethan Orr patiently awaits his chance to swing Monday against Towns County, Ga. The next day, Orr homered and pitched a complete game for Robbinsville, helping lift the Black Knights to a 5-3 home win over Rosman. Photo courtesy of Fala Welch/Contributing Photographer

Ethan Orr patiently awaits his chance to swing Monday against Towns County, Ga. The next day, Orr homered and pitched a complete game for Robbinsville, helping lift the Black Knights to a 5-3 home win over Rosman. Photo courtesy of Fala Welch/Contributing Photographer

Not your average Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 13, 2023
Robbinsville – Just 2 ½ weeks ago, the Black Knights were 0-6 and had only played one seven-inning game to start the season. Counting Tuesday’s 5-3 home victory over Rosman, Robbinsville has went 5-2 to put the bumpy opening of the campaign in the rearview mirror.
Lady Knights junior Memory Frapp improved to 6-0 on the season April 6, flirting with a no-no while striking out seven Lady Devils in a five-inning, 11-0 rout over Swain County. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Lady Knights junior Memory Frapp improved to 6-0 on the season April 6, flirting with a no-no while striking out seven Lady Devils in a five-inning, 11-0 rout over Swain County. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Committed to Memory

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 13, 2023
Robbinsville – She smacked a hit past the outstretched gloves of infielders and outfielders alike. A run scored. Junior pitcher Memory Frapp had aided her own cause, giving herself and the Lady Knights a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the third.

Sleeping ordinance still unsettled

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 13, 2023
Robbinsville – From the outside looking in, the old Robbinsville Town Hall and a loitering ordinance might not seem to have that much in common. That will change at 5:30 p.m.