BlackKnights

Back to the starting line

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 11, 2024
Robbinsville – For the second consecutive year, the Black Knights’ cross-country program will begin the season with a new head coach at the helm.
Colby White speaks at the June 5 Robbinsville High School wrestling state championship ring ceremony. The Graham County alum has been appointed the new head coach of the Black Knights’ powerhouse varsity grappling program. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Colby White speaks at the June 5 Robbinsville High School wrestling state championship ring ceremony. The Graham County alum has been appointed the new head coach of the Black Knights’ powerhouse varsity grappling program. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Decision painted in black and white

Kevin Hensley
Saturday, July 6, 2024
Robbinsville – This isn’t Colby White’s first rodeo, but the difference in program reputations is night and day.

5 Black Knights named All-Conference

Kevin Hensley
Friday, June 14, 2024
The best season of Robbinsville High School baseball in over a decade was handsomely rewarded when this year’s All-Smoky Mountain Conference list was revealed at the conclusion of the campaign.
Graham County Schools Superintendent Angie Knight was brought to tears early at Tuesday’s board of education meeting, as she was presented with a quilt made by students at the county’s educational academy. Giving Knight the gift is Emmanuel Conde (center) and Cecelia Maney. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Graham County Schools Superintendent Angie Knight was brought to tears early at Tuesday’s board of education meeting, as she was presented with a quilt made by students at the county’s educational academy. Giving Knight the gift is Emmanuel Conde (center) and Cecelia Maney. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Early ideas for stadium renovations discussed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 30, 2024
Robbinsville – When the Black Knights Nation files into Big Oaks Stadium for the 2025 season, they will do so with more a more spacious facility at their disposal.
Lady Knights teammates Zoie Shuler (left) and Claire Barlow took the top two spots on the awards podium in the triple jump competition at Monday’s state championship meet. The happenstance was just one of many that left Robbinsville in high spirits at the conclusion of the gathering. Photo courtesy of Kylie Shuler

Lady Knights teammates Zoie Shuler (left) and Claire Barlow took the top two spots on the awards podium in the triple jump competition at Monday’s state championship meet. The happenstance was just one of many that left Robbinsville in high spirits at the conclusion of the gathering. Photo courtesy of Kylie Shuler

1 for the money, 2 for the show

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Greensboro – Claire Barlow and Zoie Shuler checked in at North Carolina A&T University’s Aggie Stadium long enough to make an indelible impression.
Claire Barlow, state qualifier, long and triple jumps

Claire Barlow, state qualifier, long and triple jumps

Fantastic 5

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 16, 2024
* State track & field meet preview Montreat – The Black Knights track program has went the extra mile to improve this season. Meets outside the conference adorned the schedule.
With classmate Bryc Garrison backing him up, Graylen Orr watches Thomasville sophomore Mkyel Duncan slide underneath for an attempted stolen base during the first round of the playoffs May 8. Both teams were unaccustomed to playing on an artificial infield, so Duncan overshot the bag and Orr tagged him out moments later. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

With classmate Bryc Garrison backing him up, Graylen Orr watches Thomasville sophomore Mkyel Duncan slide underneath for an attempted stolen base during the first round of the playoffs May 8. Both teams were unaccustomed to playing on an artificial infield, so Duncan overshot the bag and Orr tagged him out moments later. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Winners in a losing game

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 16, 2024
High Point – The return to the playoffs Wednesday was perhaps the program’s best showing in years – even though the Knights fell victim to a no-hitter.  Robbinsville (No.
The Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights capped an unblemished 13-0 season by downing Cherokee 16-5 on Monday to win the conference title game. All names are listed from left. Front row: Bella Coats, Khaygen Buchanan, Loxley Burke, Daphne Barlow, Kynadee Spencer, Lexie Williams and Zeyli Williams. Back row: Assistant coach Lauren Silvers, Natalee Myers, Mylee Webster, Lakin Orr, Alyssa Bohn, Ella Nelms, Jayden Chekeleelee, Myah Winfrey and head coach Anna Stewart.

The Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights capped an unblemished 13-0 season by downing Cherokee 16-5 on Monday to win the conference title game. All names are listed from left. Front row: Bella Coats, Khaygen Buchanan, Loxley Burke, Daphne Barlow, Kynadee Spencer, Lexie Williams and Zeyli Williams. Back row: Assistant coach Lauren Silvers, Natalee Myers, Mylee Webster, Lakin Orr, Alyssa Bohn, Ella Nelms, Jayden Chekeleelee, Myah Winfrey and head coach Anna Stewart.

2 for the price of 1

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Hiwassee Dam – For one team, the championship was a foregone conclusion. For the other, it was a first. Robbinsville Middle School shipped both its baseball and softball teams to Hiwassee Dam on Monday to play in their respective de facto Smoky Mountain Conference title games.

One for the road

Kevin Hensley
Friday, May 10, 2024
Thirteen years. Robbinsville can wait one more day. Heavy rainfall across the state Monday flooded the field that was set to host the Black Knights’ first postseason game since 2011.
Black Knights junior Isaiah Brown lines up a putt on the 18th hole of Mountain Harbour Golf Course on Monday. Brown went on to sink the ball for birdie and qualify for his second-straight trip to the state tournament. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights junior Isaiah Brown lines up a putt on the 18th hole of Mountain Harbour Golf Course on Monday. Brown went on to sink the ball for birdie and qualify for his second-straight trip to the state tournament. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Eye on the prize

Kevin Hensley
Friday, May 10, 2024
Hayesville – For the second year in a row, Robbinsville’s No. 1 golfer will be lugging his clubs to the state tournament. Isaiah Brown turned in a round of 78 at Monday’s N.C.