BlackKnights

Junior forward Bryce Adams rises above the defense of Cherokee’s Savian Davis (12) and Samuel Hernandez (10) for a second-half basket Tuesday. Including Adams, four Robbinsville players scored in double digits – but could not stop the Braves from winning the Smoky Mountain Conference title. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Junior forward Bryce Adams rises above the defense of Cherokee’s Savian Davis (12) and Samuel Hernandez (10) for a second-half basket Tuesday. Including Adams, four Robbinsville players scored in double digits – but could not stop the Braves from winning the Smoky Mountain Conference title. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

No Knights off in SMC

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 15, 2024
The final Smoky Mountain Conference standings for the 2023-24 boys basketball season. Cherokee – In a span of two days, the Robbinsville Black Knights watched their Smoky Mountain Conference title defense slip away. Though Feb.
Lady Knights senior Zoie Shuler takes flight during the finals of Saturday’s state indoor track triple jump competition. Shuler claimed her 4th triple jump state championship on her final attempt. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights senior Zoie Shuler takes flight during the finals of Saturday’s state indoor track triple jump competition. Shuler claimed her 4th triple jump state championship on her final attempt. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Best for last

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Zoie Shuler stands atop the awards podium at the conclusion of Saturday's 1A/2A state indoor track meet, proudly displaying the gold (triple jump) and silver (long jump) medals she collected during the competition. Winston-Salem – Zoie Shuler earned every bit of her ninth state championship.
As his father Coy celebrates, Cuttler Adams speaks on the phone with Yale head coach Tony Reno, who helped Adams announce his college selection at a special Feb. 7 signing. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

As his father Coy celebrates, Cuttler Adams speaks on the phone with Yale head coach Tony Reno, who helped Adams announce his college selection at a special Feb. 7 signing. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

From Atoah to Yale

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Robbinsville – Outside of his immediate family, Cuttler Adams did an excellent job keeping his college football plans hush-hush. Really, the decision was made months ago. Adams still weighed his options until just three weeks ago, when he informed his family that Yale University in New Haven, Conn.
Kyler Branham hooks Mitchell's Jayden Burleson for an eventual near-fall in the second round of the state dual-team tournament Saturday. Branham went on to score the second majority decision for Robbinsville in the match. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Kyler Branham hooks Mitchell's Jayden Burleson for an eventual near-fall in the second round of the state dual-team tournament Saturday. Branham went on to score the second majority decision for Robbinsville in the match. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights ousted by Vikings

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Newland – The quest for another 1A dual team championship will have to wait at least one more year. Despite holding the No. 1 Western seed, Robbinsville (32-3) had to travel to Avery County (No. 2) for regional competition in the state postseason Jan. 31.
The Black Knights erupt, moments after Robbinsville’s Darion Ledbetter hit the buzzer-beating winner Friday at Andrews. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Black Knights erupt, moments after Robbinsville’s Darion Ledbetter hit the buzzer-beating winner Friday at Andrews. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Better safe than sorry

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Isiac Collins breaks away during the first half of Friday’s JV boys showdown in Andrews. Andrews – With 10 seconds left in Friday’s divisional game, Bryce Adams batted down the go-ahead jumper from Ty Clark.

Last hurrahs; 1st time greetings

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 8, 2024
*State indoor track preview A nice balance of newcomers and veterans will make the trek to Winston-Salem on Saturday for the 1A/2A state indoor track championship meet.
The Robbinsville Mites gather at the conclusion of Saturday’s league tournament, to relish in the moment of winning the 2023-24 title. Kneeling in front are Channing Mull (left) and Brayden Allison. Second row (from left) are Jed Baxter, Micah York, Draylen Hill, Dex Webster, Conner Hyde, Tanner Fouts and Elijah Millsaps. Third row (from left) are assistant coach James York, Carsan Snider, Hudson Blevins and David Guzman. Back row (from left) are head coach Corey Snider, Tyler Holder and Levi Satterfield.

The Robbinsville Mites gather at the conclusion of Saturday’s league tournament, to relish in the moment of winning the 2023-24 title. Kneeling in front are Channing Mull (left) and Brayden Allison. Second row (from left) are Jed Baxter, Micah York, Draylen Hill, Dex Webster, Conner Hyde, Tanner Fouts and Elijah Millsaps. Third row (from left) are assistant coach James York, Carsan Snider, Hudson Blevins and David Guzman. Back row (from left) are head coach Corey Snider, Tyler Holder and Levi Satterfield.

Boyz II Men

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 8, 2024
The Robbinsville Termites celebrate with the 2023-24 Smokey Mountain Youth Conference tournament trophy, moments after defeating Hayesville on Saturday in the finals. Front row are Ty Carver (left) and Kayden Teesateskie.
Members of the Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights celebrate after winning the 42nd Annual North Carolina Junior High State Championship on Saturday. Photos courtesy of Sarah Orr/Lady Knights Wrestling

Members of the Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights celebrate after winning the 42nd Annual North Carolina Junior High State Championship on Saturday. Photos courtesy of Sarah Orr/Lady Knights Wrestling

Titles fit for queens

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Advance – Against elite performers from around the state, Robbinsville showed why its wrestling program has a feared reputation.

Board member asks for new chairman

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Robbinsville – Just over two hours into Tuesday’s Graham County Board of Education meeting, board member Debra “Hank” Dinschel stated, “I want to elect a new chairman.”Dinschel was almost 30 minutes into a speech on board procedures when she proposed her idea to remove Rodney Nelson from his post.
All Murphy’s Ryan Payne (11) could do was look on in awe of Robbinsville junior Darion Ledbetter making this reverse layup look easy during Tuesday’s nightcap with the Bulldogs. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

All Murphy’s Ryan Payne (11) could do was look on in awe of Robbinsville junior Darion Ledbetter making this reverse layup look easy during Tuesday’s nightcap with the Bulldogs. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

No Knights off: Boys division taking shape

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Robbinsville’s Everett Taylor delivers a side heave in JV action Jan. 25 against Hiwassee Dam. Robbinsville – To repeat as the Smoky Mountain Conference champions, the Black Knights will have to make sure not to fall susceptible to the perils of the road.