Robbinsville

Freshman point guard Zayleigh Chekelelee releases a halftime buzzer-beater attempt during Robbinsville's season opener at Copper Basin on Dec. 1. Chekelelee scored 17 in the Lady Knights' home debut Friday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Freshman point guard Zayleigh Chekelelee releases a halftime buzzer-beater attempt during Robbinsville's season opener at Copper Basin on Dec. 1. Chekelelee scored 17 in the Lady Knights' home debut Friday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights tame Bobcats in home opener

Robbinsville – The home debut of the varsity basketball program Friday can only be viewed as a rousing success. Welcoming Blue Ridge School, the Lady Knights improved to 1-1 with a 51-19 victory in the opener.
Teammates mob Robbinsville Middle School's Mercy Nelms (center) on Dec. 4, moments after Nelms hit a three-pointer at the final buzzer to cement a 42-34 home victory over Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Teammates mob Robbinsville Middle School's Mercy Nelms (center) on Dec. 4, moments after Nelms hit a three-pointer at the final buzzer to cement a 42-34 home victory over Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle schoolers sweep opposition

Robbinsville – Things are clicking at the right time for the middle school basketball program.

Town pivots on credit policy

Robbinsville – The first regularly-scheduled meeting of the new Town of Robbinsville Board of Aldermen was an eventful one. The main topic of discussion was the existing leak-credit policy.
Robbinsville High School CTE Instructor Megan Williams (left) joins students Ashley Howell (center) and Jazmin Crisp atop Mount LeConte during the program's recent field trip.

Robbinsville High School CTE Instructor Megan Williams (left) joins students Ashley Howell (center) and Jazmin Crisp atop Mount LeConte during the program's recent field trip.

Reaching new heights

On Nov. 5, Robbinsville High School Career and Technical Education instructors Rick Parham and Megan Williams took a hike. This was no ordinary hike, however.
An ATV accident Sunday afternoon claimed the life of 70-year-old Charles Andrew Carey. His obituary said that Carey passed away "doing what brought him joy, surrounded by nature near his home."

An ATV accident Sunday afternoon claimed the life of 70-year-old Charles Andrew Carey. His obituary said that Carey passed away "doing what brought him joy, surrounded by nature near his home."

Man killed in ATV wreck

Atoah – A county resident died in an ATV (all-terrain vehicle) accident Sunday afternoon. Reports indicate that 70-year-old Charles Andrew Carey departed his home at 1512 Snowbird Road on a four-wheeler around 3:30 p.m.

More file for commissioner, sheriff races

Robbinsville – Since press time for The Graham Star's Dec. 4 edition, four additional candidates have joined the expansive line-up for the local 2026 ballot. Incumbents Natasha Williams and Jacob Nelms filed for re-election to the Graham County Board of Commissioners on Dec.
The Robbinsville Black Knights gather for the final home, post-game chat of the 2025 season Nov. 28, moments after clinching the 1A Western Regional title on Bob Colvin Field at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Black Knights gather for the final home, post-game chat of the 2025 season Nov. 28, moments after clinching the 1A Western Regional title on Bob Colvin Field at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights vie for 16th championship

* 1A state title game preview Chapel Hill – By the time many of you open your mailbox, Robbinsville's state-championship fate will have already been determined.
Middle school Black Knight Brayden Allison soars past a Cherokee defender Nov. 17. Allison hit a game-winning lay-up for Robbinsville on Monday at Hayesville. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school Black Knight Brayden Allison soars past a Cherokee defender Nov. 17. Allison hit a game-winning lay-up for Robbinsville on Monday at Hayesville. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school boys hit winning streak

It took some last-second heroics, but the middle school Black Knights were able to swat the Yellow Jackets. After dropping the season opener 46-21 to Hayesville on Nov. 3, Robbinsville (6-2) found itself in a nailbiter in the return showdown Monday.
Black Knights senior Dane Knott unleashed six 3's on the Copper Basin (Tenn.) Cougars in Monday's season opener, which played a key role in Robbinsville collecting a victory. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights senior Dane Knott unleashed six 3's on the Copper Basin (Tenn.) Cougars in Monday's season opener, which played a key role in Robbinsville collecting a victory. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights tame Cougars in season debut

Copperhill, Tenn. – If Monday's season opener is any indication of what lies ahead, the Robbinsville Black Knights are going to be a team to watch at a statewide level this season.
The Robbinsville Black Knights gather in the middle of Bob Colvin Field on Friday, moments after defeating South Davidson to capture the program's 14th 1A Western Regional championship. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Black Knights gather in the middle of Bob Colvin Field on Friday, moments after defeating South Davidson to capture the program's 14th 1A Western Regional championship. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville heading back to the ‘ship

The box score from Nov. 28, 2025's 1A Western Regional championship game between South Davidson and Robbinsville. Robbinsville – One week from today, the Black Knights will be playing for a 16th state championship.