BlackKnights

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.
Middle school Black Knight Brayden Allison prepares to shoot around the defense of Murphy’s John Parker Watson during Monday’s loss to the Bulldogs. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Middle school Black Knight Brayden Allison prepares to shoot around the defense of Murphy’s John Parker Watson during Monday’s loss to the Bulldogs. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Middle school splits the bill

Kevin Hensley
Monday, December 16, 2024
Bryson City – A clean sweep of Swain County by Robbinsville on Dec. 5 was followed by a shaky showing at home Monday. The middle school Lady Knights (5-4) exorcised the Devils 54-16, while the Black Knights (4-5) cast out the demons 47-44.
Skyler Anderson became the latest Black Knight to record 100 career wins, achieving the feat Saturday during the Jim Hayes Invitational. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Skyler Anderson became the latest Black Knight to record 100 career wins, achieving the feat Saturday during the Jim Hayes Invitational. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

100 wins in the books

Kevin Hensley
Monday, December 16, 2024
Charlotte – Just two weeks removed from teammate Loxston Hooper picking up career victory No. 100, Black Knight grappler Skyler Anderson accomplished the same feat during Saturday’s Jim Hayes Invitational.
Bryce Adams attempts to dribble around Smoky Mountain’s Custer Pregner during Monday’s home opener. Adams has led Robbinsville’s scoreline in three of the Black Knights’ first four games this season. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Bryce Adams attempts to dribble around Smoky Mountain’s Custer Pregner during Monday’s home opener. Adams has led Robbinsville’s scoreline in three of the Black Knights’ first four games this season. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Plenty to brag about

Kevin Hensley
Monday, December 16, 2024
Nantahala – While their varsity counterparts were still prepping to play their first game, the Black Knights cruised to an easy victory in their 2024-25 debut. A boys-only affair at Nantahala (3-2) on Dec.
Alexis Miller slams teammate Julia Vazquez during Nov. 7’s scrimmage. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Alexis Miller slams teammate Julia Vazquez during Nov. 7’s scrimmage. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Invitational appetizers

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 6, 2024
Hendersonville – While others were thawing out a feast – or traveling to spend the holiday with family – Robbinsville’s wrestling program was squeezing in one final set of tournaments just 24 hours before Thanksgiving.
Lady Knights point guard Zayleigh Chekelelee scans the floor for passing options Monday against Hayesville. Chekelelee recorded 22 points against the Lady Jackets in Robbinsville’s victory. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights point guard Zayleigh Chekelelee scans the floor for passing options Monday against Hayesville. Chekelelee recorded 22 points against the Lady Jackets in Robbinsville’s victory. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Stung on the Chek

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 6, 2024
Robbinsville – The middle school Lady Knights quickly reversed what looked to be a post-Thanksgiving lull Monday, drubbing Hayesville 51-36 at Robbinsville Elementary School. Competing for the first time since Nov.
Amidst a first-quarter scrum, Robbinsville’s Kasen Buchanan (88) wraps up Murphy’s Cameron Clem during Friday’s third-round playoff game. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Amidst a first-quarter scrum, Robbinsville’s Kasen Buchanan (88) wraps up Murphy’s Cameron Clem during Friday’s third-round playoff game. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Black Friday

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 6, 2024
Murphy – The Black Knights and the Bulldogs meeting for postseason supremacy is almost a rite of passage at this point.  In fact, both the 2018 and 2020 Western Regional title games were contested between the two Smoky Mountain Conference foes; in 2021, they met in the Elite 8.
Loxston Hooper recorded career win No. 100 during Saturday’s Trojan Duals. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Loxston Hooper recorded career win No. 100 during Saturday’s Trojan Duals. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Hooper wins 100th

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Loxston Hooper’s joined Robbinsville’s growing lineage of 100-win grapplers Saturday.
Robbinsville’s Lakin Orr (14) puts up an inside shot during Nov. 21’s home game against Andrews. Photo courtesy of Kyla Garland/Contributing Photographer

Robbinsville’s Lakin Orr (14) puts up an inside shot during Nov. 21’s home game against Andrews. Photo courtesy of Kyla Garland/Contributing Photographer

Lady Knights back to .500

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Robbinsville – The first quarter of Nov. 21’s home game was shaky, but the Lady Knights led 8-6 nonetheless. The second period? An 18-3 drubbing – advantage, Robbinsville.