BlackKnights

Cooper Adams creates some separation from a pair of Cherokee defenders during the junior varsity Black Knights’ 56-6, season-opening victory over the Braves. Photo by Scot McKie/Cherokee One Feather

Cooper Adams creates some separation from a pair of Cherokee defenders during the junior varsity Black Knights’ 56-6, season-opening victory over the Braves. Photo by Scot McKie/Cherokee One Feather

Strong defense gives JV opener to Knights

Cherokee – There was no getting past the Robbinsville defense, and there was no stopping the Robbinsville offense. In the junior varsity season opener Feb. 25, the Black Knights traveled to Cherokee and held the Braves to just 60 total yards in a 56-6 trouncing.
Turner Jackson (1) pulls away from some heavy Rosman pressure during Robbinsville’s 56-6 win over the Tigers on Feb. 25. Jackson emerged as the Black Knights’ leading rusher in the victory, tallying 71 yards on just five carries. Photos by Montana Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Turner Jackson (1) pulls away from some heavy Rosman pressure during Robbinsville’s 56-6 win over the Tigers on Feb. 25. Jackson emerged as the Black Knights’ leading rusher in the victory, tallying 71 yards on just five carries. Photos by Montana Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Back at work

Robbinsville – They scored early and they scored often. In the end, the Robbinsville Black Knights began their quest to successful defend the 1A state title with a 56-6 victory over Rosman.  The game ended a 14-month layoff for Robbinsville football, which had last suited up Dec.

Knights drop finale to Bulldogs

Murphy – Heading into the Feb. 18 regular-season finale, Robbinsville needed a win to stay in the playoff race. However, the Black Knights (8-6, 6-6) fell behind early on the road at Murphy and were unable to bounce back, dropping a 64-54 affair to the Bulldogs.
With Carlos Wesley (56) running interference, senior quarterback Nathan Collins takes off on a keeper during Saturday’s scrimmage at Smoky Mountain. Photos by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

With Carlos Wesley (56) running interference, senior quarterback Nathan Collins takes off on a keeper during Saturday’s scrimmage at Smoky Mountain. Photos by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

They’re ready

Sylva – The transition from the hardwood to the gridiron seemed almost seamless.
Jeb Shuler puts up a first-half jumper against Swain County on Friday. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Jeb Shuler puts up a first-half jumper against Swain County on Friday. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Knights fall victim to near-miss in home finale

Robbinsville – It was the shot every basketball player dreams of making: the game-winning 3, at the final buzzer.
Amid heavy pressure from Swain County, Quinn Jumper eyes the bucket during a loss to the Maroon Devils on Feb. 11. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Amid heavy pressure from Swain County, Quinn Jumper eyes the bucket during a loss to the Maroon Devils on Feb. 11. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Dreams dashed

Robbinsville – Hopes of another conference title for Robbinsville’s middle school boys basketball squad were swiftly erased on Feb. 11. The Black Knights (9-2) fell behind early against Swain and were unable to rally, dropping a 46-43 game to the Maroon Devils.
Robbinsville Middle School’s Roman Jones eyes a basket during a home game against Murphy on Jan. 25. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville Middle School’s Roman Jones eyes a basket during a home game against Murphy on Jan. 25. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

And down the stretch they come!

Rosman – Who is going to stop the Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights? Road victories over the last week at Hiwassee Dam/Ranger, Hayesville and Rosman have everyone in the Smoky Mountain Conference asking that question.

Down, but not out

Robbinsville – Tuesday’s 62-47 home victory was crucial. Not only was it the Robbinsville Black Knights’ (7-4, 5-4) first win over the Cherokee Braves (6-4, 5-4) since Jan. 27, 2017 – a 53-50 home triumph – but it also moved Robbinsville solely into third place in the Smoky Mountain Conference.
Gabby Hooper cuts around Rosman’s Alissa Cheek on a drive to the basket Friday at Rosman. Hooper finished the game with 15 points. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Gabby Hooper cuts around Rosman’s Alissa Cheek on a drive to the basket Friday at Rosman. Hooper finished the game with 15 points. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Tigers tamed

Rosman – ‘It’s always tough to beat an opponent twice in the same season’ is an oft-quoted mantra associated with conference match-ups. But as the Robbinsville Lady Knights begin to work through the second-half of the 2021 slate, the wins keep piling up.
Robbinsville Middle School’s Bryce Adams puts up a floater during a home game with Murphy on Jan. 25. Adams dropped 30 points on the Swain County Maroon Devils in the Knights’ 68-62 road win on Jan. 27. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville Middle School’s Bryce Adams puts up a floater during a home game with Murphy on Jan. 25. Adams dropped 30 points on the Swain County Maroon Devils in the Knights’ 68-62 road win on Jan. 27. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

All they do is win, win, win

Bryson City – A come-from-behind victory showed future Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights opponents that the task ahead is arduous.