BlackKnights

Brock Adams, Kensley Phillips and Zoie Shuler (from left) each received the prestigious Ed Jackson Award for being Robbinsville's Most Valuable male and female athletes at May 22's R-Club Banquet. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Brock Adams, Kensley Phillips and Zoie Shuler (from left) each received the prestigious Ed Jackson Award for being Robbinsville's Most Valuable male and female athletes at May 22's R-Club Banquet. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Adams, Phillips, Shuler recognized as elite Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Janell Rattler was named Robbinsville High School Athletics’ Volunteer of the Year at May 22’s banquet. Robbinsville – You really cannot fault the athletic department for being unable to discern between the two.
As evident from the bottom row of bleachers at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium, support for the seating area has caused a significant shift in the alignment of the arrangement, which has Graham County Schools exploring other venues to play “home” football games this fall. Note the large gap between the two bottom sections and the off-center meeting points of the row above.

As evident from the bottom row of bleachers at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium, support for the seating area has caused a significant shift in the alignment of the arrangement, which has Graham County Schools exploring other venues to play “home” football games this fall. Note the large gap between the two bottom sections and the off-center meeting points of the row above.

Big Oaks football unlikely this fall

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Robbinsville – ‘This should be good,’ quipped Graham County Board of Education Chair Rodney Nelson.
Robbinsville Black Knights sophomore Isaiah Brown stands proudly between his grandfather Jody (left) and Jeremy Brown at the 1A state golf tournament, which was held at Pinehurst No. 6 between May 15-16. It was Brown's inaugural foray into statewide competition.

Robbinsville Black Knights sophomore Isaiah Brown stands proudly between his grandfather Jody (left) and Jeremy Brown at the 1A state golf tournament, which was held at Pinehurst No. 6 between May 15-16. It was Brown's inaugural foray into statewide competition.

'An amazing feeling'

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Isaiah Brown sets for an approach shot during the 1A state golf tournament last week. Pinehurst – There were a lot of positives for Isaiah Brown to take away from his first experience competing in the 1A state golf tournament.
Brock Adams: State Champion, 110- and 300-meter hurdles; 10th place, high jump. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Brock Adams: State Champion, 110- and 300-meter hurdles; 10th place, high jump. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Hurdles, jumps: oh my!

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Cuttler Adams: 5th place, 100-meter dash; 8th place, long jump Greensboro – To Brock Adams and Zoie Shuler, it was simply another day at the office: punch in, handle the task at hand and punch out. For the record books, Friday’s 1A track & field state championship meet – held at N.C.
Senior Lathan Buchanan was named an All-Smoky Mountain Conference Honorable Mention. Photo courtesy of Maria Shook Photography

Senior Lathan Buchanan was named an All-Smoky Mountain Conference Honorable Mention. Photo courtesy of Maria Shook Photography

Black Knights trio named All-Conference

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Robbinsville – With the Hayesville Yellow Jackets incurring a stunning 5-2, second-round playoff loss at the hands of Eastern Randolph on Friday, the Smoky Mountain Conference’s postseason-participation wrapped up. As such, the division announced its 2023 All-Conference team.
Prior to May 11’s game against Copper Basin, Tenn., Robbinsville Middle School recognized its 8th-grade baseball players. From left are Cody Crisp, Zander Davis, Tucker Jones and Slade Freeman. Not pictured are Levi Roberts and Sawyer Hogsed. Photo courtesy of Adam Brooks/Robbinsville Middle School Baseball

Prior to May 11’s game against Copper Basin, Tenn., Robbinsville Middle School recognized its 8th-grade baseball players. From left are Cody Crisp, Zander Davis, Tucker Jones and Slade Freeman. Not pictured are Levi Roberts and Sawyer Hogsed. Photo courtesy of Adam Brooks/Robbinsville Middle School Baseball

Middle school wraps up baseball, softball seasons

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Robbinsville – It was certainly a unique finish for Robbinsville Middle School’s baseball and softball programs this year. The Black Knights stampeded the Martins Creek Hornets 20-2 on May 10, securing their first win of the season in the penultimate game of the campaign.
Brock Adams: 1A Western Regional Champion, 110- and 300-meter hurdles; State Qualifier, high jump. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Brock Adams: 1A Western Regional Champion, 110- and 300-meter hurdles; State Qualifier, high jump. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

6 Knights qualify for state title meet

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Valdese – There is just one more obstacle standing between six Robbinsville athletes and statewide immortality. A top-4 finish (or better) meant Brock Adams, Cuttler Adams, Claire Barlow, Kadence Howell, Kensley Phillips and Zoie Shuler all punched their tickets to the N.C.
Lady Knights senior Desta Trammell was named as the 2023 Wells Fargo Advisors/Aiken, Meyer, Whatley Division II Female Athlete of the Year, Major Sport at Sunday’s WNC Sports Awards Banquet. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights senior Desta Trammell was named as the 2023 Wells Fargo Advisors/Aiken, Meyer, Whatley Division II Female Athlete of the Year, Major Sport at Sunday’s WNC Sports Awards Banquet. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Shuler, Trammell honored as best in WNC

Kevin Hensley
Monday, May 15, 2023
Asheville – Sunday’s 61st WNC Sports Awards Banquet simply confirmed to the rest of Western North Carolina what the Knights’ fanbase already knew: Zoie Shuler and Desta Trammell are two of the most elite athletes to ever wear a Robbinsville uniform.

Knights fall in finale

Kevin Hensley
Monday, May 15, 2023
Hayesville – The 2023 Robbinsville High School baseball season will always be the year remembered for a near-miraculous turnaround.
Haden Key signed to play football at Brevard College on May 3. Sitting with Key are his mother Joanna and coach Wren Millsaps. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Haden Key signed to play football at Brevard College on May 3. Sitting with Key are his mother Joanna and coach Wren Millsaps. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Key opens next door

Kevin Hensley
Monday, May 15, 2023
Robbinsville – Perhaps the most important players on the gridiron rarely get the recognition they so richly deserve.