Robbinsville

Lady Knights senior Kensley Phillips has already sprinted to three triples in the first four games of the year. She is batting .312 this season. Photo by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Lady Knights senior Kensley Phillips has already sprinted to three triples in the first four games of the year. She is batting .312 this season. Photo by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Wild conference opener goes to Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Murphy – After Tuesday’s duel in Cherokee County, the Lady Knights Fast Pitch Softball Facebook page posted this quick update about the outcome, which might be the most apt descriptor of the proceedings: “A-maybe-not-so-pretty-but-thankful-to-have-a-win kind of game today.
Lady Knights senior Desta Trammell was recently announced as the 2022-23 Smoky Mountain Conference Girls Player of the Year – her second time earning the distinction. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights senior Desta Trammell was recently announced as the 2022-23 Smoky Mountain Conference Girls Player of the Year – her second time earning the distinction. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Pursuit of her Destanee: complete

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Liz Carpenter, Sophomore, All-Conference ​​​ Robbinsville – What else can be written about Desta Trammell? She has grown up loving the sport of basketball. The competitiveness. The tenacity. The skill. The discipline. The ups. The downs.

Town to hold public hearing concerning sleeping ordinance

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Robbinsville – The county seat is one step closer to adopting an ordinance that would charge those caught sleeping on public sidewalks, streets and benches. But no matter which side of the proposal you are on, fret not: You will have a chance to make your voice heard.
An aerial view of Robbinsville, after the now-infamous “Blizzard of ‘93” originally dumped well over three feet of snow in Graham County.

An aerial view of Robbinsville, after the now-infamous “Blizzard of ‘93” originally dumped well over three feet of snow in Graham County.

Infamous ‘Blizzard of ’93’ recalled, 30 years later

Marshall McClung
Thursday, March 16, 2023
* Editor’s note: In March 1993, Marshall McClung was working for the U.S. Forest Service when a snowstorm unlike any other seen in the Southeast swept across the region. This is his account of the impact the storm had on Graham County.
Flanked by a documentary team, Burroughs Wellcome Fund Senior Program Officer Alfred Mays greets Robbinsville High School Science Teacher Ben Davis on March 9. Mays and the film crew had traveled from Research Triangle Park to present Davis with a $175,000 check – one of just four awarded statewide. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Flanked by a documentary team, Burroughs Wellcome Fund Senior Program Officer Alfred Mays greets Robbinsville High School Science Teacher Ben Davis on March 9. Mays and the film crew had traveled from Research Triangle Park to present Davis with a $175,000 check – one of just four awarded statewide. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

District STEM teacher receives $175K award

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Robbinsville – David Matheson had the entire scenario planned to perfection. Representatives from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund arrived right on-schedule, including a two-man film crew.

Black Knights falter early in season opener

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Canton – Before Robbinsville could manufacture a reply, the Black Bears had clawed ahead 10-0. The Knights certainly hoped for a better start to their season, but head coach Brent Icenhower noted several positives after a 5-inning, 12-2 loss to Pisgah (1-1) on Tuesday.
Junior Taelyr Jackson swings for an eventual double Tuesday, which was mixed into a 9-run third for Robbinsville in the Lady Knights’ 14-1 rout of Smoky Mountain. Photos by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Junior Taelyr Jackson swings for an eventual double Tuesday, which was mixed into a 9-run third for Robbinsville in the Lady Knights’ 14-1 rout of Smoky Mountain. Photos by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Wild horses tamed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Webster – Even the faintest cloud of doubt about how this year’s Robbinsville varsity softball team would mesh on the field seemed to dissipate as quickly as the tightly-knit score.
Memory Frapp enters her third varsity season as the ace of the Lady Knights. Robbinsville has won the conference title each year she has toed the rubber. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Memory Frapp enters her third varsity season as the ace of the Lady Knights. Robbinsville has won the conference title each year she has toed the rubber. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights hoping mix of old, new brings success

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 9, 2023
* Robbinsville softball season preview Robbinsville – When you return both the Smoky Mountain Conference Pitcher and Player of the Year, you have to like your chances this season.
Lathan Buchanan, Robbinsville head coach Brent Icenhower and Alex Knight (from left) have a on-field discussion during a pitching change against Brevard on April 11. Buchanan and Knight are two of the seniors back for the varsity-baseball program this season. Photos courtesy of Crystal White/Robbinsville High School

Lathan Buchanan, Robbinsville head coach Brent Icenhower and Alex Knight (from left) have a on-field discussion during a pitching change against Brevard on April 11. Buchanan and Knight are two of the seniors back for the varsity-baseball program this season. Photos courtesy of Crystal White/Robbinsville High School

Black Knights eyeing first playoff berth in 11 years

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 9, 2023
* Robbinsville baseball season preview Robbinsville – The last time a Black Knights baseball team made the playoffs, this year’s seniors were 6 years old.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights were understandably distraught while accepting the 1A Western Regional Runner-Up plaque after dropping the game 41-30 to Bishop McGuinness. All names are listed from left. Front row: Desta Trammell, Kensley Phillips, Bella Ford, Fala Welch and Suri Watty. Back row: Liz Carpenter, Olivia Lewis, Aubrie Wachacha, Bentley Riggs, Abby Wehr, Anna Williams, Katie-Lyn Gross, Anna York and Maleah Cox. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Lady Knights were understandably distraught while accepting the 1A Western Regional Runner-Up plaque after dropping the game 41-30 to Bishop McGuinness. All names are listed from left. Front row: Desta Trammell, Kensley Phillips, Bella Ford, Fala Welch and Suri Watty. Back row: Liz Carpenter, Olivia Lewis, Aubrie Wachacha, Bentley Riggs, Abby Wehr, Anna Williams, Katie-Lyn Gross, Anna York and Maleah Cox. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights fall short in regional final

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Senior Fala Welch scored the final basket of Robbinsville's season in the closing seconds of Saturday's 1A Western Regional Final. Morganton – The deepest playoff run in Lady Knights’ basketball history was halted in the state semifinals on Saturday.