BlackKnights

The Robbinsville Black Knights finished their 2022 season with an appearance in the regional tournament last week. From left are Cody Cline, Isaiah Brown, Trey Lambert, Turner Jackson and Dasan Gross. Photo courtesy of Jake Beasley/Robbinsville High School Golf

The Robbinsville Black Knights finished their 2022 season with an appearance in the regional tournament last week. From left are Cody Cline, Isaiah Brown, Trey Lambert, Turner Jackson and Dasan Gross. Photo courtesy of Jake Beasley/Robbinsville High School Golf

Golf season ends at regionals

Newland – For a group that has to practice in a field, a regional berth is not too shabby.
Zoie Shuler (left) and Brock Adams were named the respective Smoky Mountain Conference Most Outstanding Track and Field Girls and Boys Athlete at the conclusion of May 4’s championship meet in Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Zoie Shuler (left) and Brock Adams were named the respective Smoky Mountain Conference Most Outstanding Track and Field Girls and Boys Athlete at the conclusion of May 4’s championship meet in Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Elite performers

Cherokee – At the end of May 4’s Smoky Mountain Conference championship meet, it was a foregone conclusion who would be named the Most Outstanding athletes of the competition.
After Tuesday’s games against Hiwassee Dam/Ranger, Robbinsville Middle School recognized its eighth-grade baseball and softball athletes. For the Lady Knights: Anna Williams (left) and Ryn Hooper. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

After Tuesday’s games against Hiwassee Dam/Ranger, Robbinsville Middle School recognized its eighth-grade baseball and softball athletes. For the Lady Knights: Anna Williams (left) and Ryn Hooper. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school Knights looking to finish strong

Robbinsville – Graham County’s middle school baseball and softball programs ended the home portion of their season in strong fashion.
Black Knights senior Kade Garrison delivers a pitch during April 11’s road game against Brevard. Garrison tossed a complete game in Robbinsville’s 8-1 win over Andrews on Friday. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Robbinsville High School

Black Knights senior Kade Garrison delivers a pitch during April 11’s road game against Brevard. Garrison tossed a complete game in Robbinsville’s 8-1 win over Andrews on Friday. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Robbinsville High School

Livin’ on a prayer

Hiwassee Dam – Entering the final road game of the season Monday, Robbinsville held all the cards.
Ben Wachacha (seated, center) signed to wrestle for the University of Mount Olive on Friday. Seated with Wachacha are (from left) grandmother Debbie Bird, mother Monaka Wachacha, sister Amara Wachacha, father Randy Wachacha and grandmother Carolyn Wachacha. Standing in back are grandfather John Bird (left) and sister Aubrie Wachacha. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Ben Wachacha (seated, center) signed to wrestle for the University of Mount Olive on Friday. Seated with Wachacha are (from left) grandmother Debbie Bird, mother Monaka Wachacha, sister Amara Wachacha, father Randy Wachacha and grandmother Carolyn Wachacha. Standing in back are grandfather John Bird (left) and sister Aubrie Wachacha. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Ready for Trojan War

Robbinsville – A two-time state champion has decided to take the next huge step in life.
As Cole Patterson hoists Christian Phillips in the air Monday, Graylen Orr (right) walks by to congratulate Phillips on his extra-inning, walk-off single against Andrews on Monday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

As Cole Patterson hoists Christian Phillips in the air Monday, Graylen Orr (right) walks by to congratulate Phillips on his extra-inning, walk-off single against Andrews on Monday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Dancin’ in the streets

Robbinsville – It was a wild win, but a victory nonetheless. Returning home to host Andrews in a pivotal Smoky Mountain Conference game Monday, Robbinsville blew a seventh-inning lead, but rallied to keep its playoff hopes alive by defeating the Wildcats 6-5 in eight innings.
Robbinsville senior Carson White fanned eight Cherokee batters April 7, hurling a complete-game effort to stipend Robbinsville’s 15-5 win over the Braves. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Contributing Photographer

Robbinsville senior Carson White fanned eight Cherokee batters April 7, hurling a complete-game effort to stipend Robbinsville’s 15-5 win over the Braves. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Contributing Photographer

Black Knights dismantle Cherokee

Robbinsville – As head coach Brent Icenhower astutely put it afterward, “We finally put together a full game.
Robbinsville Middle School catcher Dreylee Webster applies the tag to a Swain County runner Friday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville Middle School catcher Dreylee Webster applies the tag to a Swain County runner Friday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights fall to Swain

Robbinsville – The only team to disrupt an otherwise-perfect season for the Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights has been Swain County.

Quick strike wraps up road loss

Bryson City – The game was over before it really had time to start. In the second matchup of the week between Robbinsville (1-7, 0-6) and Swain County (6-3, 5-1), the Maroon Devils brought 18 runs across the plate in the bottom of the first.
In a cloud of dust, middle school Lady Knight Daphne Barlow slides under the tag during Tuesday’s road loss to Swain County. Photo courtesy of Tyffany Hicks/Contributing Photographer

In a cloud of dust, middle school Lady Knight Daphne Barlow slides under the tag during Tuesday’s road loss to Swain County. Photo courtesy of Tyffany Hicks/Contributing Photographer

1 win, 1 loss

Martins Creek – It took a few games to bring it all together, but the middle school Black Knights finally moved into the win column Friday. In a road trip to Martins Creek, Robbinsville (1-3) knocked off the Hornets 5-2, thanks in part to a well-rounded afternoon from Rylen Orr.