BlackKnights

Middle school wins openers

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 8, 2024
Andrews – Like the dark cloud that lingered over western North Carolina on Tuesday, Robbinsville Middle School rained on the hosting Andrews Wildcats’ parade in the season debut.
Robbinsville seniors Zoie Shuler and Cuttler Adams – shown competing at last year’s state championship meet – will help usher in the Knights’ 2024 track & field season. As part of their curtain call, both are seeking returns to the 1A dance. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville seniors Zoie Shuler and Cuttler Adams – shown competing at last year’s state championship meet – will help usher in the Knights’ 2024 track & field season. As part of their curtain call, both are seeking returns to the 1A dance. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Success is not complex

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 8, 2024
* Robbinsville track & field season preview Robbinsville – As the track & field program continues to build its roster depth from the ground up, the varsity roster is set to compete with what new head coach Dale Farr deems a strong “nucleus.
Over 20 participants sprinted full speed into Lake Santeetlah on Saturday, as part of the annual “Polar Plunge.” Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Over 20 participants sprinted full speed into Lake Santeetlah on Saturday, as part of the annual “Polar Plunge.” Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Cooler than the flip side of the pillow

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 8, 2024
Lake Santeetlah – Like an attempt to sell ice to an eskimo, good luck convincing the participants that Saturday’s “Polar Plunge” might be the warmest one ever held.
Darion Ledbetter turns to fire a second-half attempt Tuesday against North Stokes. Thanks to the Vikings, Robbinsville’s season came to an early halt in the first round of the state playoffs. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Robbinsville High School

Darion Ledbetter turns to fire a second-half attempt Tuesday against North Stokes. Thanks to the Vikings, Robbinsville’s season came to an early halt in the first round of the state playoffs. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Robbinsville High School

Black Knights fail in conquest to down Vikings

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 1, 2024
Robbinsville – The visitors came out swinging Tuesday, opening a 10-0 lead before the Black Knights mustered their first response. However, Robbinsville (No. 16 seed, 16-8) was unable to recoup the cost of the early rush from North Stokes (No.

Black Knights attempting to break through ceiling

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 1, 2024
Robbinsville – It seems to be an overarching narrative at the outset of each Black Knights baseball season: could this be the year Robbinsville qualifies for the playoffs? The drought stretches back to 2011, but Robbinsville is focused on the here and now – not the years gone by.
Adair Panama, 1A state finalist, 113 pounds. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Adair Panama, 1A state finalist, 113 pounds. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

9 simple rules for winning a state title

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Greensboro – What does it mean to be a “champion?” Simply defined in the Oxford Dictionary, the term credits an individual as “a person who has defeated or surpassed all rivals in a competition, especially in sports.” Heading into this year’s N.C.
Black Knights senior Donovan Carpenter keys in on a first-half jumper during the regular-season finale Feb. 13 at Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights senior Donovan Carpenter keys in on a first-half jumper during the regular-season finale Feb. 13 at Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Upsets joust Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Cherokee – You never know how the chips may fall once you reach the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament. Both of Robbinsville’s boys teams were afforded the No.
Members of “The ‘Ville” bask in the moment of winning the program’s inaugural state invitational tournament team title Saturday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Members of “The ‘Ville” bask in the moment of winning the program’s inaugural state invitational tournament team title Saturday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

State champs, take 2

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Greensboro – After this weekend’s individual state tournament concluded, Robbinsville can safely remove the adverb “never” from in front of the phrase “won a state invitational team title.” Leading up to the final tournament of the year, head coach David Haney told The Graham Star on Feb.
Members of "The 'Ville" bask in the moment of winning the program's inaugural state invitational tournament team title Saturday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Members of "The 'Ville" bask in the moment of winning the program's inaugural state invitational tournament team title Saturday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville adds 1st state invitational team title to resume

Kevin Hensley
Saturday, February 17, 2024
    Greensboro -- "Never" is viewed as a long time.     But after this weekend's individual state tournament concluded, Robbinsville can safely remove the adverb from in front of the phrase "won a state invitational team title.
The Robbinsville Black Knights’ regional finalists display the 2023-24 1A Western Regional Runner-Up plaque at the end of the two-day invitational. All names are listed from left. Kneeling in front: Lleyton Hooper, Skyler Anderson and Adair Panama. Back row: Alexis Panama, Loxston Hooper, Kage Williams, Koleson Dooley, Kellen Ensley and Avery Phillips. Photo by Audrey Colvin/The Graham Star

The Robbinsville Black Knights’ regional finalists display the 2023-24 1A Western Regional Runner-Up plaque at the end of the two-day invitational. All names are listed from left. Kneeling in front: Lleyton Hooper, Skyler Anderson and Adair Panama. Back row: Alexis Panama, Loxston Hooper, Kage Williams, Koleson Dooley, Kellen Ensley and Avery Phillips. Photo by Audrey Colvin/The Graham Star

9 tickets punched to state

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Robbinsville – Avery County continues to be a thorn in the side of the Black Knights’ wrestling team.