BlackKnights

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.
Prior to Tuesday’s dual against Cherokee, Robbinsville wrestling recognized its nine seniors. All names are listed from left. Kneeling: Ben Wachacha, Carlos Wesley, Zane Lucksavage and Jacob Hall. Standing: Jayden Nowell, Kyle Fink, manager Ivy Odom, Aynsley Fink and Jaret Panama. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Prior to Tuesday’s dual against Cherokee, Robbinsville wrestling recognized its nine seniors. All names are listed from left. Kneeling: Ben Wachacha, Carlos Wesley, Zane Lucksavage and Jacob Hall. Standing: Jayden Nowell, Kyle Fink, manager Ivy Odom, Aynsley Fink and Jaret Panama. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

“The ‘Ville” now ranked No. 1

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Robbinsville – This far into the 2021-22 season, one question lingers: is there anyone that can stop Robbinsville? The No. 1-ranked team in 1A started its latest tear with a 70-6 victory in the annual “Battle of the Knights” at North Henderson on Jan. 5.
Prior to Monday’s game, Robbinsville Middle School recognized the 8th-grade members of its basketball program. All names are listed from left. Front row: Anna Williams, Katie Lyn Gross, Lady Knights manager Jernie Greene, Maleah Cox and Abby Wehr. Back row: Luke Lovin, Dane Knott, Isiac Collins, Tillman Adams, Owen Blevins, Dane Daniels, Kyzik Teesateskie, Benny Moose, Tyler Patton, Javian Blair and Kasen Buchanan. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Prior to Monday’s game, Robbinsville Middle School recognized the 8th-grade members of its basketball program. All names are listed from left. Front row: Anna Williams, Katie Lyn Gross, Lady Knights manager Jernie Greene, Maleah Cox and Abby Wehr. Back row: Luke Lovin, Dane Knott, Isiac Collins, Tillman Adams, Owen Blevins, Dane Daniels, Kyzik Teesateskie, Benny Moose, Tyler Patton, Javian Blair and Kasen Buchanan. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights roll in home finale against Hornets

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Robbinsville – From the opening tip, it was all Black Knights. In a boys-only showcase against the Martins Creek Hornets on Monday, Robbinsville (8-4) finished the home slate of its season with a 67-7 victory.
Robbinsville’s Donovan Carpenter focuses on a second-half bucket during Friday’s 51-44 loss to Hayesville. Photos by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville’s Donovan Carpenter focuses on a second-half bucket during Friday’s 51-44 loss to Hayesville. Photos by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Black Knights fall to Blackhawks, Jackets

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Robbinsville – The Knights had the right game plan for Friday’s tilt with Hayesville: neutralize Jake McTaggart.
Robbinsville senior Aynsley Fink gets her hand raised Dec. 30, after winning the women’s 106-pound bracket at the annual Holy Angels showcase in Charlotte. Photo by Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

Robbinsville senior Aynsley Fink gets her hand raised Dec. 30, after winning the women’s 106-pound bracket at the annual Holy Angels showcase in Charlotte. Photo by Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

Lady Knight wins national tournament

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 7, 2022
Charlotte – There was an unnecessary delay before the inevitable. Aynsley Fink paced the mat back-and-forth, simply awaiting the cue to jog to the middle of the circle, shake hands with her adversary and begin the finals of the 106-pound women’s bracket at the Holy Angels Invitational.
Senior Kamdyn Jordan puts up a floater during Dec. 30’s home victory over Tellico Plains, Tenn. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Senior Kamdyn Jordan puts up a floater during Dec. 30’s home victory over Tellico Plains, Tenn. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Down to the wire

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 7, 2022
Robbinsville – Say what you will about the Black Knights, but they sure leave fans on the edge of their seats in the closing minutes of a game. Such was the case Tuesday night, when a spirited rally bid fell short against the visiting Andrews Wildcats, who held on to knock off Robbinsville 56-53.
Chloe Adams (14) looks to outpace the Swain County defense during the second half of Dec. 16’s game. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Chloe Adams (14) looks to outpace the Swain County defense during the second half of Dec. 16’s game. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights split matchups

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Robbinsville – Even when the middle school Black Knights are not at full strength, they are still dangerous. Robbinsville (7-4) was without perennial shooting guard Dane Knott for its Dec.
Robbinsville point guard Brock Adams takes flight during Tuesday’s 55-52 road loss to Tellico Plains. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville point guard Brock Adams takes flight during Tuesday’s 55-52 road loss to Tellico Plains. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Bearers of bad news

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Tellico Plains, Tenn. – Things just never quite clicked for the Robbinsville basketball program Tuesday. A 4-game road slate in Tellico Plains ended with each Knights team on the losing end of the score column, though the varsity boys game literally came down to the wire.
Members of the Robbinsville wrestling program pose with the 2021 Devil Duals trophy, after the Knights conquered the field Dec. 22. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Members of the Robbinsville wrestling program pose with the 2021 Devil Duals trophy, after the Knights conquered the field Dec. 22. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The ‘Ville: not paid by the hour

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Bryson City – It was just another day at the office for the Black Knights. Robbinsville (10-1) buzzed through Franklin, Madison, Hayesville, Enka and the hosting Swain County Maroon Devils at the annual Devil Duals on Dec. 22, collecting their third trophy in as many weeks.
Members of the Robbinsville wrestling program pose with the 2021 Great Smoky Mountain Grapple tournament championship after Saturday's triumph in Asheville. The Knights have won two tournaments in a row. Photo courtesy of Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

Members of the Robbinsville wrestling program pose with the 2021 Great Smoky Mountain Grapple tournament championship after Saturday's triumph in Asheville. The Knights have won two tournaments in a row. Photo courtesy of Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

Peak performance

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Asheville – Whether it be in a dual format or a team tournament, Robbinsville is dangerous. The Knights continued to decorate their 2021-22 season Friday and Saturday, competing in the Great Smoky Mountain Grapple at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center.