BlackKnights

Robbinsville senior Jayden Nowell hooks the left arm of Swain County’s Owen Craig during the 132-pound bout of the Feb. 2 third round, dual-team championship match in Bryson City. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Jayden Nowell hooks the left arm of Swain County’s Owen Craig during the 132-pound bout of the Feb. 2 third round, dual-team championship match in Bryson City. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights fall in Western Regional finals

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Bryson City – It was not the way things had hoped to go. Robbinsville (No. 1 seed, 22-2) knocked off Smoky Mountain Conference foe Swain County (No. 5, 18-4) in the third round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s Dual-Team Championship Tournament on Feb.
Robbinsville’s indoor track team bundled up and showed off at the Feb. 2 Smoky Mountain Conference championship meet in Cherokee. Kneeling in front (from left): Montana Buchanan, Haize Moore and Caylin Lunsford. Standing (from left): Caden Lail, Roman Jones, Kensley Phillips, Zoie Shuler, Delaney Brooms, William Cable and Zeb Stewart. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s indoor track team bundled up and showed off at the Feb. 2 Smoky Mountain Conference championship meet in Cherokee. Kneeling in front (from left): Montana Buchanan, Haize Moore and Caylin Lunsford. Standing (from left): Caden Lail, Roman Jones, Kensley Phillips, Zoie Shuler, Delaney Brooms, William Cable and Zeb Stewart. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

By the numbers

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Cherokee – Numbers might have dwindled, but Robbinsville is still sending a fearsome foursome to the state indoor track meet Friday. Coming off an impressive showing at the Smoky Mountain Conference championship meet Feb.
Robbinsville’s Murphy Shanahan wrangles his opponent to the mat during Monday’s first-round postseason dual against Langtree Charter Academy. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville’s Murphy Shanahan wrangles his opponent to the mat during Monday’s first-round postseason dual against Langtree Charter Academy. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Bet on Black

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Robbinsville – In swift fashion, the Black Knights proved why they are the No. 1-ranked team in class 1A. Robbinsville (21-1) hosted the first and second rounds of the state dual-team championship Monday, with the Knights taking on Langtree Charter Academy (No. 29 seed) and Rosman (No.
Bryce Adams (10) stretches to out-rebound Highlands’ Kasen Mitchell on Jan. 20. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Bryce Adams (10) stretches to out-rebound Highlands’ Kasen Mitchell on Jan. 20. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Comeback tour continues

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Robbinsville – The Black Knights have captured lightning in a bottle. Winners of its last five games, Robbinsville (9-9, 3-4) has consistently pleaded its case for a postseason appearance, which would snap a four-year drought.
Robbinsville's Christian Phillips (right) jockeys for control with Alleghany's Cameron Worrick during Monday's second-round state dual against the Trojans. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville's Christian Phillips (right) jockeys for control with Alleghany's Cameron Worrick during Monday's second-round state dual against the Trojans. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Black Knights march toward state crown

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Bryson City – It was not the way things had hoped to go. Robbinsville (No. 1 seed, 22-2) knocked off Smoky Mountain Conference foe Swain County (No. 5 seed, 18-4) in the third round of the N.C.
Donovan Carpenter rises above Highlands’ Brandon Moss for a potential basket Jan. 20. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Donovan Carpenter rises above Highlands’ Brandon Moss for a potential basket Jan. 20. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Devils purged

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Robbinsville – Never, ever count out the Black Knights. With just seven players dressed out, Robbinsville (7-9, 2-4) upended the Swain County Maroon Devils (13-6, 4-2) – who sit in second place in the Smoky Mountain Conference standings – Tuesday night, in a 56-55 thriller.
For the sixth year in a row, Robbinsville has conquered the Smoky Mountain Conference. The Knights gathered at center mat following the divisional tournament Saturday at Swain County, to relish in the accomplishments. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

For the sixth year in a row, Robbinsville has conquered the Smoky Mountain Conference. The Knights gathered at center mat following the divisional tournament Saturday at Swain County, to relish in the accomplishments. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

One title down, two to go

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Bryson City – Another day, another dollar. Another dollar, another conference championship for the Robbinsville wrestling program. For the sixth consecutive season, the Knights sit atop the Smoky Mountain Conference, after knocking off Swain County 48-18 to win the regular-season title Jan.
Black Knights freshman Bryce Adams lines up a corner shot Jan. 13 at Cherokee. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Black Knights freshman Bryce Adams lines up a corner shot Jan. 13 at Cherokee. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Cashing in a win

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Cashiers – The Black Knights are having to readjust their program, a little over midway through the season. Down to eight players, Robbinsville has struggled to find its identity as of late, often faltering in the late stages of games the team seemingly had in hand.
Members of the Robbinsville High School wrestling team gather at center mat Saturday to celebrate its 2022 James Orr Invitational victory. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Members of the Robbinsville High School wrestling team gather at center mat Saturday to celebrate its 2022 James Orr Invitational victory. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Home cookin’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Robbinsville – After all its travels, the Robbinsville wrestling team finally had a chance to show off its tournament dominance on its home turf.